SWNOVELS Chapter 4: The Council of Dalhar
“They must pay for what they’ve done, Ma’al” Mumbled Tarsya Raenna, still traumatized of the tragedy. Laia and the chief priestess were also with them.
“And indeed they shall” replied the Ashosh. “But not by spilling blood.”
“Why not?! After what they’ve done to us, they deserve the same spillage of blood from their children!”
The Tarsya’s shouting was so loud, it woke Laia from her fatigue. It could even be overheard all the way out on the temple courtyard. The temple had always been more than just a place of worship; it was also a place of royal meetings. The Shrine of Alana, although half destroyed by fire, remained the site for the Council of Dalhar.
The four sat on velvet pillows around a short crystal table. A statue of Alana stood by the altar, watching over them; inspiring them with wisdom. It was carved out of a boulder with great detail. At dawn, usually priestesses will cast incense around it. But on that agonizing twilight, the smell of smoke took its place.
“I just don’t understand how you are so calm about this!” the Tarsya continued.
“Calm?!” the old king grunted. “Dozens of my people are dead! Our buildings demolished! Our Galaviere, which should have been our source of energy for the next twelve years, is un-replenished! Twelve years, Raenna! So no. I am anything but calm. I am angry. I am frustrated!”
“Then why do you not want to siege Eleazar?!” Raenna shouted once more. But Ma’al remained collected and took a deep breath. Laia wouldn’t dare to interrupt when the two royalties argue.
“Look around, an-Tarsya.” Ma’al spoke slowly “Do you see anyone with the strength to fight right now? The mourning are not fit for battle.”
“Don’t argue with me about battles. I was the head huntress before the former Ashosh appointed you as king. You should know that we don’t need that big of an army. Just a small fraction of the Sye’rah will suffice! They will gladly fight in your name for it is their purpose to serve your will, always! And what do they have to fear? Their enchanted weapons gives them the strength of ten Eleazarian men!”
“Have you no empathy for the Sye’rah who just lost a loved one last night?!”
“What would you suggest then?! We stay quiet and give time for the human infantry to march here?”
“I didn’t say-” The Ashosh was about to raise his voice again when suddenly the chief priestess coughed to clear her throat.
“Pardon me to interrupt, an-Ashosh and an-Tarsya.” The old priestess spoke. “But I believe the Ashosh is right. With the Harvest being interrupted last night, very little Galaviere was able to be gathered. Of course, we still have supplementary ores from the last blue moon. But it wouldn’t last till the next festival if we expend them all in enchanting weapons. We have buildings to conjure, crops to grow, animals to hunt.”
“What do you suggest, chief priestess” the Tarsya asked. Her voice toned down after listening to her reasoning.
“For now, a diplomatic approach remains the best option. We vouch for peace and compensation for our loss. And if we can’t, we request that we be given a time to mourn and prepare for a battle. A month at least. I assure you that they will grant it. For I have met their king’s brother, Varthas of Rodenheim. If the king is anything like his brother, than his pride will give him a pinch of over-confidence; or as the humans prefer to call it, ‘honour’”
The Tarsya contemplated on the idea. She really wanted vengeance, but the state of her people doesn’t allow her to. She looked at the Ashosh, who was equally as confused. After much thinking, the king then spoke.
“Very well. I will go to Eleazar myself and discuss the matter. One king to another”
“No, an-Ashosh” Laia suddenly interrupted her.
“Head huntress. You were awfully quiet this whole time. What is your suggestion?”
Laia took a glance at each of their faces, nervous as she was the youngest of them all.
“The last time two kings met for diplomacy was between the Nazarian King Gart and the Rodenian King Thremendor. And we all know how it turned out for the Nazarians.” She glanced into Ma’al’s droopy eyes as she continued. “An-Ashosh, we cannot risk them capturing you there. Without a leader, our people will lose hope. And both you and Tarsya Raenna will not forgive yourselves…So I will go to Eleazar as your representative.”
“What makes you think their proud King Velron would listen to you? He will see you as a mere errand girl.” Ma’al hissed.
“If these humans are as honourable as they claim they are, they will welcome me.”
“I cannot allow it, head huntress!”
“The Sye’rah are more than just hunters who catch food in the Blackwoods, an-Ashosh. We are the city’s protectors. Its soldiers. Its provider. The word ‘Sye’rah’ itself means ‘the king’s vow-keeper’. If this is not my duty as head huntress, then what is?”
The Ashosh’s grey eyes gave a long stare into Laia’s.
“Please…” Laia begged.
“Yes, Ma’al” the Tarsya spoke suddenly. “You are old and fragile, my love. If indeed this is the only way to restore our city, then we need someone who can go in and out of Eleazar as quickly as possible.”
“And the starbornes couldn’t afford to lose their Ashosh” the chief priestess said.
Hearing all of this, Ma’al gave out a long sigh.
“Very well then” the Ashosh gave in. Then he put up his wrist, revealing a golden bracelet from his oversized sleeves. It had a Terazine ore as its jewel. He took it off and gave it to Laia. “This isn’t much. But it should have enough Galaviere for you to forge a moon letter or two to let us know your progress.”
Laia received it humbly and bowed to her king.
“Thank you, an-Ashosh. I will do my best for our people”.
The Ashosh took a deep breath and looked at his wife.
“The Council is dismissed”