Terry Simpson - The Shadowbearer

“I see you understand the importance,” Galiana said.

“And you gave them to the King. Why?” Stefan asked.

“The Tribunal has been using The Chronicles for years to maintain their empire. It is how they can tell who would be their greatest threats and eliminate them beforehand. Seti is one of those threats. In fact, the Chronicles state Seti will overthrow the Tribunal’s rule but not how. That part is written in ancient Seti, a language several millennia old. No one knew how to read it.”

Stefan eased his hand from his sword and began to pace. Some things began to make sense to him now. What Galiana said would explain why of all the kingdoms, the Tribunal had chosen Seti to be its main ally in Ostania. He stopped and faced her. “Does King Nerian know how to read it?”

Galiana hung her head for a moment and then raised it to meet his gaze once more. “He found a way.”

“And he’s using it to bring the words to pass even if it means sacrificing his own,” Stefan concluded.

“I swear to you, I did not know. When I found out about the tomes and how the Tribunal used them, I saw this as a threat to our survival. I did what you would do. I made sure to manipulate events to see we would outlast whatever they intended. My loyalty is to our people first. When Nerian brought forward his plan for Everland and the Great Divide, I realized the chance to secure power beyond the Tribunal’s had corrupted him.” She squeezed her eyes tight. “Stefan.” Her voice was a hoarse whisper. “I saw Nerian’s translations. If he stays on this course, the Setian as we know them will perish.”

Mind whirling, Stefan glanced over to Anton, Celina and Thania. His wife did not appear at all surprised by Galiana’s news. “She discussed this with you already.”

Thania nodded. “It’s why I wasn’t at the celebrations.”

“So what do we do?” He began pacing again. “What can we do?” Even as he asked the question, he wondered if he could trust Galiana. Everything she said so far was based on translations only she knew. But what if they were true? What if this was Kalvor’s warning?

“Well, for the first question,” Galiana said. “You will have to do as Nerian says and lead his armies. For now, it is the only way to keep your family safe.”

Stefan stopped pacing, his hand sliding to his sword. “I could gather the men loyal to me-”

“I know what you are thinking,” Galiana said. “You cannot flee and you cannot fight him right now. You need to give me time to devise a plan.”

“What if none of this is his doing?” Stefan found it hard to believe Nerian could have changed this much even from the conversation he had with the King. There had to be another catalyst. “I have my suspicions concerning Cerny. The way the man has come into power and the fact he’s an Alzari.”

“I had my people inquire after him years ago,” Galiana answered. “They came up with nothing out of the ordinary. Which leaves Nerian.”

“You believe you can find a way to stop him?”

“To stop him? No. To limit the damage he does … Yes.”

“How?”

“The Chronicles lay out many possible futures. They also hint at events not within the books. The possibility for change is endless if caught before a certain point.”

Again, possibilities revealed by Galiana alone. Stefan mulled the information over. If he was to act, he needed confirmation. Finding a way to draw it out of the King may be the only way to be sure. Galiana may have been his mentor, but Nerian had been like a father. “If changes can occur, we can save our people.”

“Not exactly. The tome foretells that once Nerian received his copy of the Chronicles, that the Setian are doomed. There was talk of a remnant being able to survive.”

“Does Nerian know of this?”

“Yes.”

“And it didn’t change his mind?”

“He never wavered. I spent the last two years learning ancient Seti using the King’s own translations. When I went back to the Iluminus, there were a few more texts dealing with the demise of Seti. Nerian’s actions will bring about a cataclysm caused by a cult worshipping Amuni and using shadelings for their armies.”

Stefan’s eyebrows shot up his forehead. “Dear Ilumni save us.” As he said the words though, more doubts concerning Galiana’s intentions crowded his mind. Her knowledge seemed all too convenient. And it made Nerian appear as vile a man as any. Something Stefan could not believe. “What did Nerian say when you told him?” he asked, voice soft.

“He said that is but one path. He believes he can prevent whatever is coming. At that point, I knew he had to be stopped. Which brings me to the second part of what you can do.” Galiana strode over to the table with the wrapped bundle.

Frowning, Stefan watched as she picked up the cloth and gingerly unwrapped it. When the material fell away, it revealed a plain leather scabbard and a simple hilt. Stefan’s brows drew together tighter. A sword?

“This,” Galiana said, reverently, “is the key, not only for your children but the Setian as a people.”

Eyes full of hope she unsheathed a sword, its metal carrying the high silver shine of imbuement. A divya . But the way she held it out like some offering before the altar of a god spoke of something special.

Unimpressed, Stefan shrugged. “It’s a divya . The King’s armies carry thousands of them much like the one on my hip.” He indicated his sword. “What’s so different about this one?”

“According to the Chronicles this is an Access Key to another, greater divya, ” Galiana said. “One able to unleash a power to rival the gods themselves. The tomes also state this is the way to ensure a remnant of the Setian will survive the coming times.”

“Can it be used to defeat Nerian?”

Galiana shrugged. “No one knows how powerful he is, not even me, and I trained against him on several occasions. I lost every session.”

Stefan shook his head in resignation. “If a High Shin like yourself cannot defeat him, how do you expect me, a simple Dagodin, to succeed? The divya is useless to me. Nerian would kill me the moment he senses I’m a threat.”

Galiana snorted. “I never understood why you Dagodin underestimate yourselves. You can do what we Ashishin or any other Forger cannot, yet, you complain.”

“I think you overestimate us. Honestly, do you think wielding some weapon imbued with Mater is better than being able to Forge?”

“Pwah.” Galiana’s eyes glittered angrily. “Has a Dagodin gone mad or died from the influence of the essences? For too long now you have allowed your fear of being a Matii and of Matii in general cloud your judgment. On some days, Stefan, we would trade our places with yours for some semblance of a normal life. The knowledge that our deaths will inevitably come because of our gift is a thing we struggle with every day. Imagine doing so while living to my age.”

“Sometimes I wish I could live to your age,” Stefan retorted. “Many would give themselves for such a chance.”

“Honey.” Thania’s supple fingers touched his shoulder. “She’s right. I dread the day when I won’t recognize any of the people I love. One moment I’ll be well … the next … I’ll be gone.”

His wife’s pain resonated in her eyes. Truth be told, he wouldn’t trade his ability or his shorter life span for the longevity of any Shin. He couldn’t imagine not recognizing Thania’s beautiful face or her sweet voice. He was almost overwhelmed as he studied his children and thought of losing what he’d gained. “So how does the sword work?”

“I’m not certain. The Chronicles were not specific about its use. There was a picture of a Dagodin wielding the weapon and the three elements of Mater flying off into a spire. I …” Galiana shook her head, “I think he was using the sword to Forge.”