James Barclay - Beyond the Mists of Katura

‘Auum is inviting others to speak on behalf of the fallen. I don’t think anyone wishes to speak at this time. Normally, they’d do this at the reclamation ceremony, but they can’t hold one this time. No bodies, you see. That has hurt them.’

There was more prayer and then a short chant led by Ulysan. Auum drank water from a skin and began to speak again.

‘The death of every elf and Julatsan man today is on my head. I led you into a trap because I believed we had to fight with Xetesk. Instead they tried to kill us all. Remember that lesson, elves of Calaius. The men of Xetesk will betray you. Those men of Julatsa who stand with us will not. They died side by side with us, and those who sit with us are brothers who you will look to as you would any of your kin.

‘I do not deserve your trust after today, but if I have it, then I believe our path is clear at last. Will you trust me one more time?’

A chorus of assent ran around the elves. Auum nodded his blessings and thanks.

‘We were right to fight the Wytch Lords because I will not suffer them to set foot on Calaius ever again. Our mistake was to choose to fight alongside the armies of man. There is another way, and we must take it or we will all die in this soulless, godless land. Will you hear me?’

Every TaiGethen stood to pledge their faith and loyalty. The others were slightly less enthusiastic, but Stein couldn’t imagine a world in which they would choose to travel anywhere without their extraordinary warrior guard and its charismatic leader.

‘What does he mean?’ asked Tilman. ‘Why shouldn’t he fight with us?’

‘I think he means Xetesk, but it comes to the same thing. I’m more concerned about the other path he’s going to propose. Something he said a while ago. . I do hope he doesn’t act on it.’

Auum took a breath. ‘The Wesmen seek to destroy human magic. Their warriors have no love of the Wytch Lords’ power wielded by their shamen — ’ Stein went cold all over ‘- though they understand its necessity in defeating man just as I understand the necessity of elven magic in combat. What we face is an alliance of Xetesk and Wytch Lord power determined to destroy us along with Julatsa. We have to break that alliance and we will do it by turning the Wesmen away from the Wytch Lords. We will deprive the Wytch Lords of their army and the means to deliver their magic; once they are weakened they can be destroyed.

‘I won’t tell you this is going to be easy, because it isn’t. All the courage and faith that you have ever shown will be needed and will be tested further. It is hostile country and a hard climb over the mountains to get there. But if we stay here we will not survive. Xetesk is too powerful and its armies can not be turned.

‘Come with me. Walk with me and Yniss will walk with us.’ Auum paused. ‘But think first. Challenge me if you wish. We must be as one, on this mission, or we will all fail.’

There was a silence until Stein stood.

‘May I speak?’ he said.

Auum smiled. ‘You are our brother, so it is your right. And I’d have been disappointed if you didn’t have strong views.’

‘I just want you to understand the enormity of your plan. And I want to ask you: why not join an alliance of the other three colleges against Xetesk and the Wytch Lords?’

‘Because it won’t work,’ said Auum. ‘Remember Xetesk was not alone in failing to help you. No one came, and that surely means they are all in this conspiracy one way or another — at least until Xetesk chooses to cut them loose. Besides, do you really think such an alliance could take on both Xetesk and the Wytch Lords?’

‘We have to try, don’t we?’

Auum shook his head. ‘Julatsa needs to marshal all its strength just to survive. You wanted to tell us something else?’

‘You know nothing about the Wesmen or their country. They are a disparate tribal people. That the Wytch Lords have brought so many tribes together is impressive in itself, though I shudder to think of the threats and promises they will have made. You can cross the mountains right here — and you’ll understand why we built a tunnel when you do — but how will you find anyone? Who do you plan to speak to?

‘I don’t want to pour cold water on your plan, but you’re going in blind to try and persuade people you’ve already fought to turn against their incredibly powerful masters. You think humans are difficult to deal with? We are simple compared to the Wesmen. I’m sorry, Auum, but I can’t see how you can succeed.’

Auum spread his hands. ‘There is always a way. Surely not all the tribes have fallen under their control? Surely they all hate Xetesk with a passion we can share? Our own threads still bicker, much as their tribes will. We can use that, encourage them to dream of independence. We did, and we beat Ystormun.’

‘This is not just Ystormun. This is all of them, all six Wytch Lords, and it is their land. The powers they have the other side of those mountains are so much greater than anything you’ve seen here. You must understand the reality of where you are and of who and what you are up against.’

‘Those we seek, we find,’ Auum said simply. Stein could see that he didn’t grasp the difficulties.

‘Very well. Who are you seeking?’

Auum smiled. ‘That’s where you come in. Don’t pretend you have no information on Wesman allegiances and the locations of their tribes.’

Stein looked down at Tilman, who was staring at Auum as if he was a god walking the earth.

‘I thought I’d explained my doubts. Are you still so confident I’ll come with you?’

‘You can’t leave Tilman alone. Besides, I’m right: this is our only chance and you know it. If you ally with Lystern and Dordover you’ll bring Xetesk, the Wesmen and the Wytch Lords against you, and you’ll be swept away before them. My way gives us some hope — small, but we’ll have a chance.’ Auum gestured at Tilman. ‘I guarantee he’s coming with us. Where do you stand?’

Stein knew he had no choice. ‘I brought you here, Auum. I’ll stand by you until the day you leave.’

‘You are a good man, Stein, and there are precious few of you.’

‘We’ll have to agree to differ there. I know a whole host of good men and women.’

Auum shrugged and made to turn away. A new thought spun him back.

‘You can speak the Wesmen language, can’t you?’

‘It is among my skills, though it’s not to the same level as my elvish.’

‘Good.’ Auum smiled again, and this time there was genuine warmth and humour in it. ‘Because if you can’t we might have trouble getting our message across.’

Sipharec was sleeping, but Kerela couldn’t rest with all she had heard bubbling inside her. It wasn’t late so she walked through the college to the library, knowing who she would find there, absorbing knowledge as he had done all his life.

The library was vast, built on three levels with books and parchments on shelves to all four sides. During the day light came in through great glass panes set in the roof and each night lanterns were set on each of twenty reading tables, casting enough illumination to read by in comfort.

It reeked of history, and Kerela, like so many of those allowed access, spent more time here than anywhere else, often just staring at the accumulated wisdom on show. The only discordant note were the stacks of crates by the rear entrance hall, ready to store the priceless works should the city walls fall.

Harild was sitting in a leather reading chair, a clay flask of wine and a full goblet on a table next to him. He looked younger, Kerela thought, as if the recent combat had allowed him to taste his youth again and the flavour yet lingered.

‘May I disturb you?’ she asked, her voice a whisper though they were the only two in the cavernous building. She put her hands on the back of a chair opposite him. ‘I wouldn’t ask, but I have news I can scarcely believe and I must speak to someone.’