The Children of Calm (20 page)

“What about them?” Tresten asked.

Everyone was looking at Rylek. Had they forgotten about his burned hands too? Why would the Oathbinder suddenly warn him not to speak any more? “Nothing,” he finally said. “Forget it.” But fear began to creep back into his mind, and it touched something there that set off the buzzing again. There was a picture beginning to form in his mind, but he was still missing too many pieces of the puzzle.
Just what is that orb?
he wondered.

At that moment, however, Ryaskoreid and Kelsereid walked back into the room together. “This is pleasant to see,” Kelsereid said when she saw all four talking together. “It does my heart good to see you enjoying each other here in our home.”

“It appears as though you still have your touch,” Ryaskoreid said to her. “You brought him through his ordeal back to perfect health.”

Sudden suspicion darted into Rylek’s mind. Had Kelsereid done something to the others to make them forget last night’s events? Had Ryaskoreid lied about his knowledge of the orb? Were the Aesid trying to keep it a secret? Why could he still remember perfectly what had happened? Did they know that he still knew? His mind became a whirlwind of questions and hypotheses.

“I feel very filthy,” Tresten said, snapping Rylek out of his thoughts. “Is there any way I can get clean?”

“Oh, wait till you see!” Lana said.

But as she started to explain the baths to Tresten, Rylek tuned out from the conversation. There was too much to think about, and he was growing very frightened again of their situation. Then he remembered what Andulibar had said about asking questions of him.
You’ll be giving me some answers tonight
, he thought to himself.

***

As dinner time approached, Ryaskoreid and Kelsereid led the four into the heart of the Great Room’s gardens. There the river split into a small artificial moat that encircled four rectangular tables connected end to end at perpendicular angles so that they resembled a square. Eight large dogwood trees surrounded the moat, giving the area a feeling of quiet seclusion. Four footbridges crossed over the moat at equal points from each other, continuing the footpaths alongside meadows of wildflowers. Rylek found the scene to be deceptively relaxing, as he was still wrestling with restless suspicions of the Aesids’ motives.

Tresten had recovered wonderfully during the previous few hours. He had bathed and was wearing the same similar white tunic and sandals as the others, was walking unassisted and generally acting normally. No one had mentioned anything about the orb or of Tresten’s miraculously-cured hands.

Sitting at the tables were several of the Aesid, among whom were Andulibar and his lifemate, Midanibar. There was also someone whom the four did not expect to see; namely, an older man, an Aenosh. He was sitting next to Andulibar, and when he saw the four approach he smiled and rose from his seat. Andulibar rose with him.

“Greetings, my friends,” Andulibar said, walking around the tables to stand with them. The Aenosh man followed behind him. “I welcome you to our table where we shall be fellowshipping presently.”

“Thank you, sir,” Lana said on their behalf.

Andulibar gestured towards the Aenosh man. “Allow me to introduce a very dear friend of the Aesid,” he said. “His name is Altan, the Wayfarer. It is he who had informed me of your forthcoming arrival to Perdeisolen.”

“May blessings of The One be upon each of you,” Altan said, bowing his head slightly. His voice was rich and tranquil. Rylek had the impression that there was a great power and wisdom bottled up inside him. He looked upon him in awe, wondering just who this person was. Altan was head and shoulders taller than Rylek, with a well-groomed beard and short white hair. He was clothed in a white tunic which lay underneath a long black robe, girded with a simple gray belt. But it was his eyes that captured Rylek, for there was a quality to them that he could not quite put into words. They somehow seemed more real, deeper even, than any other pair of eyes he had looked into; not frightening or intimidating, but inspiring.

It’s similar to the difference between seeing a reflection and seeing the real thing,
he thought to himself.
He seems more like reality.

Rylek had thought on this for only a moment when Lana elbowed him. Glancing quickly at her he saw an expression on her face that meant
Did you hear that?
Then he remembered what they had discussed the previous night, about what Caenar had told them.

An unlooked for friend may be discovered if he or she blesses you in the name of The One
, his voice echoed in his mind.

If Elder Caenar knew what he was talking about, then we’re supposed to trust this man,
Rylek thought.
I wonder if they know each other. Or if he somehow told Altan we were coming.

“And may they be upon you, too,” Selenor politely answered the old man.

Altan smiled. “It is a blessing each day to see all that has been created,” he said. But Rylek thought he detected a hint of sorrow in his eyes. “And there is much my eyes have seen,” Altan continued, looking directly into Rylek’s eyes as though he knew what he was thinking.

“Come, there will be time enough for conversation,” Andulibar said. “My young Aenosh friends, please find yourselves seats and you will be served presently.”

Rylek and the others sat down at one of the tables, where a female Aesid poured them water infused with rose petals. The girls initially thought it charming, but after tasting were not as impressed as the boys. Rylek and Tresten found the slight peppery flavor invigorating.

The meal was simple but excellent. Dishes were filled with grilled fish and lobster (which was new to the four), multi-colored leafy vegetables, bold yellow squash, loaves of several various nutty breads, and all sorts of ripe juicy berries. As they ate, Rylek learned the names of the other people dining with them. Beside Andulibar, Midanibar, Ryaskoreid, Kelsereid, and Altan, were two other couples: Onristinel and his lifemate, Lindinel; and Jorikith and his lifemate, Leirisith. Rylek had not involved himself in much conversation, as he was too busy enjoying the new taste of lobster. For most of the meal the discussions were quiet and polite between everyone. But he did take the time to notice that Altan ate nothing. He seemed to be content only with the rose-flavored water.

As the last plates were carried away and everyone was served hot drinks that Rylek found to be earthy, creamy, and slightly bittersweet, Andulibar gestured towards the four and smiled. “It pleases my heart to be able to serve new family,” he said. “It has been time long past since we have welcomed any guests. Please tell me, my young Aenosh friends, how do you like our Perdeisolen?”

“Your home is simply amazing,” Lana said. “I find it remarkable that you’ve done all of this work with your hands. How long has it taken?”

“That is a very difficult question,” Andulibar said. “You see, we do not like to mark the years. For no matter how much time passes between now and then, we shall never cleanse our people from the atrocities we inflicted upon this world.”

Lana was apparently unsure how to respond. Selenor jumped in. “Andulibar, you and your people – well, at least Ryaskoreid and Kelsereid – keep bringing up this seemingly taboo topic of shame and regret that your people appear to have. And yet you have shown us nothing but kindness and grace. May I be so bold as to ask what exactly happened to scar the Aesid so…permanently?”

There was an uncomfortable silence all around. Finally Altan offered a slight cough. “Well, you could say that long ago there were certain grievances that certain peoples held over certain others,” he said in a quiet voice that somehow carried so well in the air. “But,” he continued, glancing at Andulibar, “the past has passed away; a new day dawned long ago for these Aesid, and the people you see sitting here are not guilty of the sins of their fathers. If you would like me to, I am able at your convenience to show you greater detail of the history of the Aesid and allay any fears you might have of Andulibar and his people.”

Andulibar sighed. “Must it be so?” he asked. “Must our shame be spread to these young innocents?”

Altan looked back at the four. “These Aesid are a very noble people, practically to a fault.”

Rylek felt the silence grow more uncomfortable and wondered that this man would speak so openly. But none of the Aesid objected or attempted to stop him. It was as though he held some kind of authority over them.

He went on. “The events which Andulibar has referenced took place more than six thousand years ago. But the deeds that were done were so evil that he and his people feel they must punish themselves for the endurance of their race. If you would allow me to show you the truth behind these events, perhaps you could help me in convincing them that they needlessly bear these feelings of guilt.”

Something in Altan’s words was stirring Rylek’s mind, and everything he said seemed to whet his appetite. There was a note of vague familiarity about him that Rylek could not quite figure out. But he did not have the time to dwell on it.

“Rylek,” Altan said, “would you all like to join me for a little excursion tomorrow?”

Rylek looked at the other three as they looked back at him. Tresten’s eyes were filled with curiosity; Selenor’s face spoke of doubt; Lana nodded her head. “I think it would be wise for us to discuss this privately before I give you an answer,” he said. “Tresten and I are still in the process of healing from some unfortunate accidents. How long would this excursion, as you call it, take?”

“Three or four days at the most, I should think,” Altan said. “There will still be plenty of time for you to make it back home.”

“Forgive me, but you speak as though you expect us to be on some form of schedule,” Selenor said, her voice quavering. Rylek could see her hands shaking and knew she was nervous and uncomfortable. “Make it back home for what? How is it you know so much about us and we know nothing of you?”

At this Altan grew silent and looked down at his hands. No one said anything for a few tense moments. Selenor was about to say something else when Jorikith stood from his chair.

“Do you truly not know who this is?” he asked. “He is the Wayfarer, who comes and goes as he pleases. No man is over him and he is over no man. Council he brings to those who would hear, and most learned of all peoples is he. He wanders so he may observe, and listens so he may learn. His days are…”

“Thank you for your most flattering words, Jorikith,” Altan said suddenly. “Please, sit down. You humble me by being so quick to my side, but I can assure you, no harm was meant by the asking. I can see in the others that they do not possess the same doubt as our Selenor does; but hopefully she will come to trust me. The One knows that we must not be torn apart from internal strivings. Difficult times will soon be upon all of Calabranda – indeed, all of Mira. Trust must be wholly earned, and thus justly kept. I place myself into your service, if you so desire it, Selenor. And to answer your inquiry, Rylek, I say ‘yes;’ feel free to discuss this matter with your sister and friends. I believe it is imperative for you all to join me, but the choice is entirely yours.”

There did not seem to be much for Rylek to say, so he said, “Thank you.”

“I will seek your answer in three hours’ time,” Altan said.

“I have grown weary,” Andulibar suddenly said. “I think I shall retire soon. However, I welcome the young Aenosh to stay here for awhile longer to partake in this evening’s chorus. Ryaskoreid will soon escort you to the Memorial Chamber.”

“Andulibar, do you mean that there will be music?” Rylek asked. “If so, then you need to hear Selenor. She sings and plays beautifully.”

“Rylek!” Selenor started.

Andulibar smiled. “Is this so, Selenor? Then I insist: you shall perform for us also, and I will delay my nightly retiring so that I may hear your delightful music.”

Selenor turned all shades of crimson.

“Since when have you been shy about your music?” Tresten asked. It was the first he had spoken since they had eaten.

“I…” Selenor said. Then she looked up at Andulibar. “It will be my honor.”

Rylek smiled. She probably was not very happy with him, but he did not care. Her gift was too good not to be shared with as many people as possible. He happened to glance towards Altan, who was also looking back at him, chin in hand, nodding slowly and smiling.

***

The Memorial Chamber was a long, thin, tall building carved into the Great Room a few minutes’ walk from the dogwood gardens where they had eaten. Selenor had gone back to Ryaskoreid’s dwelling for her lyre, and then they journeyed together to the appointed destination. Inside the chamber, several large Aesid statues lined the walls, and between the statues were censers burning incense. The inner walls were polished so smoothly that they reflected the light of the many lanterns softly illuminating the space. It was darker here than in the Great Room. Rylek thought it was because there were no shafts bringing sunlight or moonlight down into the building. There was a chill in the air, and he found himself wishing he had an overcoat to put on. The floor was slightly inclined all around, such that the lowest part of the room was directly in the center. There were about three dozen Aesid there, and not long after they arrived, a female Aesid approached Selenor and asked if she would like to begin.