And the Young Shall Lead You Home: Part III of The High Duties of Pacia

And the Young Shall Lead You Home

Part III of The High Duties of Pàçia

By Bob Craton

Copyright 2011 by Bob Craton

Registered with the U.K. Copyright Service

(Registration # 284655025)

All Rights Reserved

Smashwords Edition

CHAPTER 1

Annâles-Scientia

As the boy’s words ended, the only sound in Meeting Square was a soft wordless murmur and yet Graice and Sybille both had to tamp down their perception to avoid being overwhelmed by the emotional reaction which radiated from every Aura in the chamber. Then Breyon stepped forward and began to ascend Speaker’s Dais to where Alisánder stood. When the Keeper reached the top, those nearest heard the boy say, Father, and Breyon answer, Son, before they embraced. The background noise changed from a murmur to an ‘ah’ and Binah and Escol hurried up the steps to hug their daughter.

Graice focused on the boy. Beyond doubt, he was Breyon’s son. His Aura, a bright circle of dark blue and gold, matched his father’s in intensity and mystery. Graice could read nothing from it. Sybille’s attention, however, was captured by the girl. The blazing display of wild, raw, and purely natural talent was spectacular. Not refined but second only to the Graice’s in strength. No wonder I saw her in a vision, the Madrére thought to herself.

Preferring that no one else hear, Sybille signaled to the Sistére in their silent manner. ‘Is the boy as impenetrable to you as his father?’

‘Yes, and I think more complicated’ Graice replied. The image from Breyon’s memory of Alána at the white wall appeared in Graice’s head. Alisánder had clearly inherited from both parents.

‘The girl is amazing’ Sybille signaled but her comment was unnecessary. Neither woman had seen an Aura the color and texture of fire before. ‘If only we could get the girl to a Sistérian school. Even starting this late we could . . .’ but at that moment, the girl pulled loose from her parents. Her hand and the boy’s clasped together again and Graice laughed out loud.

"Do you really think you could convince this girl to leave that boy and go off to school?" she asked aloud, not caring who overheard. Sybille was chagrined that Graice had once again noticed something before she did; but now that the Madrére looked, the bond was obvious. Then something else truly remarkable happened. The girl’s Aura changed colors from fiery yellow-red to soft sky-blue swirled with white. Sybille suddenly recalled Breyon’s description of the sister-heroes of legend – Cælele the Brave and Amia the Beloved. And the girl is named for both with an Aura that transforms from one to the other!

When Breyon came face to face with the boy, his voice choked with emotion. Then Alisánder said, Father.

Son, Breyon replied as he wrapped his arms around the boy and pulled him close. Alisánder hugged just as tightly. He’s tall and strong for thirteen, Breyon thought to himself, and I’ve missed all those years since he was a baby.

I thought you were dead, the son whispered, Until last night.

For twelve years, I had no memory of the past. Until last night.

After a long moment, they released each other. Words came hard so Breyon just looked at Alisánder in silence. Clearly the boy had used the same familiar hair-darkener but the roots were pure gold rather than light brown like his father’s. Then they both realized that Alisánder still held the end of the chain with the amulet in his hand.

You haven’t been wearing that around your neck, have you? Breyon asked.

No. Aunt Andéra told me to carry it in this, the boy said as he unhooked a strap and pulled the flat bag from under his tunic. He carefully put the chain inside and re-hooked the strap with the bag on the outside of his clothes. At that point, the girl finished greeting her parents and turned towards the boy. Instantly, they were holding hands again.

Father, this is Caelia, Alisánder said formally. Breyon looked from his son to their joined hands to her green eyes. The two moved closer together until their shoulders were touching and Breyon could see both with one glance. He recognized what he saw. There was no doubt.

I remember you as a baby, Cælele-Amia. It’s good to see you as a young woman, Daughter, he said. He reached out to place one hand on her shoulder and the other on Alisánder’s. Binah gasped at the suddenness of the gesture.

Mom, Dad, this is Alisánder, Caelia said to her parents. We have a lot to tell you.

And especially to you, Father, added the boy.

I have a great deal to say as well, Son, and there is someone else you should meet.

We should go home to talk, said Escol. Let’s go there now.

Home is in Abbelôn, Dad, not Annâles-Scientia, Caelia declared. "Alisánder and I have had a lot of time to discuss matters. We will go home, even if not today." A hundred or more people standing near the dais overheard the words. Graice identified them by the change in their Aurae and knew that Caelia’s statement would be repeated often that night.

The group on the dais came down the steps and Breyon waved to Graice to follow them. Before leaving, however, the boy went to his mighty horse. Tired, hungry, and yet content, the mare was unruffled by the throng around her and stood waiting patiently. Alisánder said, I can’t leave until I take care of Glori.

Don’t worry. Someone here will do it and she’ll have company of her own kind tonight, Breyon said. He turned to those around them and called out, Is Gervase here?

Here I am, the man said from the middle of the crowd.

Come forward, the Keeper told him. You have more work to do. Alisánder and Caelia both insisted on saying goodbye to Glori before leaving her in Gervase’s hands. Then they turned to leave Meeting Square.

The boy and girl led the little procession through the crowd. The scene reminded Graice very much of Breyon’s memory of his wedding day. The crowd parted just barely enough to let them pass and everyone wanted to reach out and touch the boy and their girl. Graice scrutinized Breyon closely, looking for signs of pain. His Aura showed nothing for her to read, however, and his face had only a look of resolute stoicism.

Sybille, on the other hand, watched the people around them. She had no difficulty reading them; the Pàçians showed their happiness and hope openly. They react to Graice as warmly as they do to Breyon, Sybille noticed. And why not? She’s the heroine who found the Keeper, returned him to his people, and healed him – and she wears the Emblem of the first High Duty! Then Sybille realized people were thinking ‘the older woman’ must be the Sistére’s assistant. Sybille sighed but she had already been reevaluating her own importance ever since her vision of Caelia at the walls of Abbelôn.

Once in the Dozent’s quarters, Breyon took Alisánder aside for a private conversation. Then half a dozen neighbors arrived with trays of food, more than enough to feed everyone in the room. Obviously, the people had brought their own already-prepared dinners and they refused to listen to any protests against their generosity. As these good Pàçians departed, Breyon and his son returned. Both had red eyes. As everyone started to eat, a discussion began which lasted long into the night.

First, Breyon gave an account of his time with Dimas and then said, I don’t know how I got from Abbelôn to Catai, however. I must have been unconscious the whole time.

I can tell you part of it, said Escol. "My father escaped the city after dark and found the place where you and Alána fell. He wanted to save the Emblems of the Benevola and Keeper and, if possible, to retrieve the bodies for proper burial. He took the Emblem from Alána’s neck and then discovered that you were still breathing, Breyon. He had taken blankets to cover the bodies and did so, making sure that both faces were concealed.

Other people began trickling out of the city also trying to escape. One, a woman named Keena who was a trusted assistant of his, saw my father and hurried to him. He pressed the Benevola’s Emblem in her hands and told her to travel by a different path to maximize the chances that at least one amulet would survive. Then three men arrived and helped him carry the bodies away and later put them in the back of wagon. They never knew who they carried or that one of you was still alive. My father told the others to make their way to the caverns then he headed in another direction. He made Binah and I swear to secrecy because he had already diagnosed something of your injury and did not want to give the people false hope followed by heartbreak. We never heard from him again. None of us have seen Keena since then either so I don’t know what happened to the Benevola’s Emblem.

I do. It’s right here, Alisánder exclaimed and every eye turned to him as he reached into a pocket and pulled out the amulet and its necklace. Keena must have gotten it to my Aunt Andéra somehow. When I was a baby, my mother told me this amulet belongs to all the people. Yes Father, I do remember her in dreams that I have. Aunt Andéra told me to keep it until the right person to wear it is found. His eyes turned to the girl beside him as he spoke. Binah’s eyes went wide and Escol’s jaw dropped when they grasped his meaning. Graice wanted to ask him about dreams and memory but Breyon spoke first.

Did Atenodoro tell you where he buried . . ., he tried to ask Escol but his voice faded away before he could finish.

I’m sure he buried Alána properly and with respect but I don’t know where. Did he not tell you when you were traveling together later?

No, Breyon whispered. Then he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Graice touched his arm and some of his strength returned. He continued, Someone else must have saved the High Protector’s emblem and delivered it to Andéra as well. Tell us the rest of your story now, Son.

Alisánder recounted his childhood with Grammi and Pappi and then told about traveling and hiding with Andéra. He said they had concealed his true identity from him and described how disturbed the three had been when he started having dreams which clearly were memories of his mother. Then he talked about the constant worry of being caught by Yuzoi and recited the fate of all three, his only family as far as he knew at the time.

When the boy finished, his father spoke sadly, It hurts to hear of the loss of Melisa and Evander, Alisánder’s Grammi and Pappi, but I’m not surprised by their devotion and courage. I know what loving and brave people they were. The thought of Andéra Audric standing at the bridge with a weapon in her hand, however, is a bitter one.

She only did it to save me, father.

I know, but it violates millennia of Pàçian belief – and yet you would not be here if she had not fought to save your life.

There are other examples in history of such things, Keeper, Escol pointed out. Not often, but sometimes Family members have sacrificed their ideals as well as their lives to save something important. The world is not a perfect place.

Yes, I know, replied Breyon, But let’s move on and let your daughter speak now.

Caelia’s tale brought smiles to the faces of Graice and Sybille when the girl told how she had convinced the people of her home to let her go out into danger by using ‘only’ logic and rational argument. When Caelia reached the point where the outlaw became unconscious just because she wished he would stay asleep, the two Sistérians knew exactly what had happened. ‘With talent like hers, she needed no training to do those things’ Sybille signaled to Graice.

Things don’t happen by chance, Sybille said when she heard how the girl and boy both arrived at one specific point in the vast forest wilderness just in time to meet.

When Caelia finished her tale, Sybille turned to the girl’s mother. Binah, you said last night that Graice seemed Pàçian in character if not in birth.

It’s true.

"Do you believe she belongs here? Truly belongs, I mean, not just that she has the amulet."

Binah looked at Graice carefully before answering, Yes.

That means that people much like Pàçians live in the far West beyond the Sea. Listen to her story now and say if you agree with me. Did she find Breyon in the slums of Matik by chance? Is her presence here now some random coincidence? I think not.

Binah and the others agreed when they heard what Graice told them but the hour had grown too late for philosophical discussions. Excitement had kept fatigue at bay as long as possible but now everyone was tired. Breyon wanted Alisánder to come along to the borrowed rooms where he slept but the boy had other ideas.

I’ll just sleep here on the floor. It’s nicer than anywhere else I’ve slept lately, he said. Then he turned to Caelia. Well, maybe except for one night when it rained. The girl suppressed the urge to laugh but Binah still glared at her daughter suspiciously. Graice and Sybille read everything in Caelia’s Aura and both smiled.

‘Why would hard rocks and wet clothes make a good place to spend the night?’ Graice silently asked the Madrére in amusement, knowing that Sybille could read the reason herself.

‘Not a difficult question to answer but I perceive only innocence’ Sybille signaled back. To Binah, she said, Don’t worry. The younglings have a private joke, obviously, but your worries are unfounded.

You know my worries?

I’m very good at reading such things but I don’t need to be in this case, Sybille replied. I’m a mother myself and even if my daughters are over a decade older than Graice, I do still remember when they were thirteen. In the end, Caelia slept on the floor as well, in a separate blanket placed an appropriate distance apart from Alisánder’s (just as always except for the night it had rained) which left the girl’s room available for Breyon. As Binah showed him the room, she asked a question.

Considering how young they are, was it wise to give them a blessing so soon, Keeper? And in front of everyone?

"Of all people, do you think I wouldn’t recognize the signs of early bonding? I know it shouldn’t happen to anyone under nineteen, but . . . He paused for a moment, remembering Alána and himself at thirteen. There is no way to separate them now. Remember who they are. Besides, Madrére Sybille is right. They haven’t even so much as kissed yet, Breyon said. His solemn expression brightened a bit as he added, Although we should keep an eye on them when they turn fifteen."

See? I was right, Escol told his wife. He’s a handsome lad and a very good boy too.

High above the foothills, a swift-flying bird streaked northward through the cloudless sky. The sharp-eyed kestrel could see for miles in the bright morning sunshine and its head rolled to the right toward one specific mountain. The bird’s master had imprinted the image of a person and a route into its small brain and the route did not pass over that mountain. Yet the kestrel looked at it anyway, not knowing what tugged its attention that way. From its altitude, the bird’s remarkable eyesight picked out the faint trace of a trail up the slope but no people were on it. Not what it was looking for. The image in the kestrel’s mind was of an older woman traveling on horseback with two companions.

It flew farther north before turning east and passing through a narrow crack in the in the otherwise solid stone of the massif. No one was there so it began a circling search pattern that moved across the Plateau to the air above Abbelôn. Whenever it saw a woman of the right age, the kestrel dived down for a closer look, but none of them had the right face. When it had gone as far as it should, it veered homeward with its undelivered message. Suddenly, its head twitched back towards the mountain. Being neither intelligent nor curious, the bird did not understand or care why it abruptly changed directions.

Mother said something odd to me this morning, Humfrey declared to his father as they worked in the garden. She told me to watch for the bird.

What bird?

She didn’t explain what she meant but I think she had one of her hunches again.

Why do you say that, son?

In reply, Humfrey pointed to a tree branch above them and asked, Dad, what kind of bird is that?

Why, it’s a kestrel. I wonder why it’s this far up in the mountains, replied his father when he looked up. The last time I saw a kestrel was . . . The bird chirruped twice and the man immediately turned to his son. Come quickly. Let’s show it the way to the cavern entrance.

Euclind knows Alisánder is alive. Andéra’s friends found the message that Alisánder left and delivered it to Lucidus, Sybille said to Graice and Binah as she read what the kestrel had brought. But he doesn’t know the boy is here or that the Keeper has recovered his memory.

Or about Caelia, added Graice.

Or about Graice’s Emblem and the fact that we now have four High Duties, not just three, concluded Binah, Even if we don’t know the title of Graice’s Duty yet.

If the Dozent can’t find it in any of the records, we’ll have to pick one ourselves. Something like Conscience of the World, perhaps, said Sybille, causing Graice to roll her eyes in reply. Well, my old friend in Lucidus thinks he’s sent us momentous news. I would love to see his face when this bird returns to him, Sybille added with a smile. This means we’re now in touch with the world. Euclind can send more kestrels here and to anywhere else.

And he knows where the other surviving members of the Counciliem are, doesn’t he? asked Graice.

Yes, he does.

CHAPTER 2

Lucidus

Bad news in that last message I brought you, sir? Radbert asked when he saw his employer’s face. Kestrels arrived daily from Anglio and it was easy to guess why the latest message left Euclind downhearted.

Bad, yes, but not unexpected. The war has started. Anglio’s been attacked.

Well, perhaps this one will be better, Radbert said as he handed the Mayórę a new piece of paper and left the office. Ten minutes later, he looked in just to make sure everything was all right and was astonished by the change in Euclind’s expression. Radbert had often seen his employer so distracted by a message or letter that he forgot about everything else around him but he had never seen Euclind this astounded and excited before. Tactfully, he left the Wise One to his thoughts only to meet Ignacio in the hallway.

A man named Nostriano has arrived and asks if the Mayórę can spare a moment for him, said Ignacio. He said he would come back another time if it’s not convenient now.

It’ll be a few minutes before he’s ready to talk to anyone, Radbert replied as he glanced back into the office at Euclind. But I’ve got a feeling that Nostriano should wait and talk rather than leave. Although the men had not known each other very long, each already trusted the other, mostly because Euclind and Sybille trusted them.

A feeling? Ignacio asked with an arched eyebrow.

I know the kestrels well enough to tell one bird from another. The one which just returned is the same one we sent on that special mission yesterday. From our Wise One’s reaction, I would say that the return message is both surprising and important.

How does that relate to Nostriano?

You know who yesterday’s message was sent to. I think you’re in a position to speculate where that person is today. What region of the world, anyway. Like Euclind’s office, the hallway had a map and various arcane drawings posted on the wall. Without pointing, Radbert looked at the map and Ignacio followed his eyes.

I think you’ve guessed correctly, Ignacio replied.

Well, we Lucidians never talk to outsiders about our neighbors but you’re not an outsider. Nostriano is a Pàçian.

Hmm.

Yes, hmm indeed. Tell him we’ll get him in to see the Mayórę as soon as we can, Radbert said as he turned to reenter the office.

Moments later, Radbert escorted their guest into the office and then closed the door behind himself as he left. When Nostriano sat, Euclind noticed the bundle he carried and asked, Have you been shopping?

Jintella sent me to fetch more fabric from the weaver, the man replied, referring to his wife. It’s because of a dream she had that I want to tell you about.

Please do.

The night before last, Jintella dreamed that she and five friends were together sewing a certain article of clothing. When she contacted her friends yesterday, she discovered they all had exactly the same dream. They started immediately and now they need more material. Today I’ve discovered that every Pàçian woman in and around Lucidus saw the same vision. Very many more ladies have volunteered than could possibly be needed.

Are the other women now sewing additional clothes?

No. Everyone is certain only one garment is needed.

What type of garment?

Nostriano told him and showed him the color of the cloth in the bundle. They all agree on the precise details, including the size, but none of them know why they feel so compelled to make it. And they don’t seem sure where it’s to go when they finish.

Euclind paused for a moment. He looked down from the man before him to the paper in his hand. By using a coded shorthand they both knew, and by having Graice (whose hand and eyes were better suited to writing with small letters) do the actual transcription, Sybille had sent him a great deal of information – including the Madrére’s vision about the girl at the white walls. The Mayórę’s mind, which moved exceptionally fast even in ordinary situations, raced as he processed information. He looked up at Nostriano.

"Sometimes I say that nothing happens by chance. I’m not sure that’s true all the time –maybe it’s not during ordinary days – but we are now in the midst of a great confluence of events that cannot possibly be coincidence. Certain things need to be said which the enemy must never hear, my friend. Keep what I’m about to say secret from everyone except your fellow Pàçians. Don’t even tell the good people of Lucidus. There might be spies in