Chaos Destiny Read online

  “You are wrong.” She told Fraweyni. “Just because we do not yet see what we desire does not mean it does not exist. That is why there are hope and optimism. Sadly, I fear the elves have lived so long they have forgotten what those feel like. Everything is systemic, planned, and factual for you now.”

  Fraweyni smiled indulgingly.

  “Another misconception of the elves,” she said. “Everyone dreams, Siem. Imagination is key. The elves are not exempt from that. Everything first starts with imagination, a dream. Even the gods who formed this world, first conceived of it as a dream.” She lightly chuckled and smiled. “Don’t you forget the stories of Toas and the first particle. Every child in Toas learns it, don’t you?”

  Both nodded.

  “You see, nothing is always given, nothing is set. You can change your destiny.”

  “Why are you then making this look like it is all futile?” Siem asked. “Does Eldana not deserve her life? An opportunity to live? Don’t we all?”

  “Yes, we do. However, I think it would be lackadaisical of you to ignore the repercussions of your actions. Having them in mind fosters responsibility, sharpens focus, and makes sure that you give your all, even your life, to make your dream real.”

  Fraweyni gazed at the young woman sitting in front of her.

  “Cheer up.” She told them. “Your journey is going to be difficult, but it does not mean that what you search for cannot be found.”

  Eldana looked up at her like she was just hearing her for the first time.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You were right in thinking that there is another way. There very rarely is none. When it comes to fate, the world is full of forks, a myriad of paths branching out from one major road. But believe me when I tell you that you are not ready yet. None of you is.”

  “What?” Siem and Eldana questioned at the same time, gazing at Fraweyni like she did not know what she was saying.

  “You are gifted magicians. All of you in your company. But if you want to reknit fate’s yarn, you are going to need more than just gifts.” Fraweyni said.

  “That would not be the case,” Siem said. “If the elves decided to get involved in things. Again.”

  Fraweyni grew thoughtful. “We may not involve ourselves directly.” She said after a while. “Not yet. But we can indirectly.”

  Both traded uncertain glances.

  “You see, the three of you are a source of intrigue for us. We may be able to help the world reshape itself if we help you.”

  Eldana’s eyes brightened.

  “You mean you are going to teach us?” she asked, incredulously.

  “Yes, Eldana. We are going to teach you three what we know. But you are most especially. Siem here has had training as a Kajewil in the school of Magic. Whereas you ran from your teachers even before your training was complete. Too much is at stake though, the fate of the world and all that lives upon it. You will be trying to learn pieces of magic that takes decades to learn in only a few days that you will be staying with us...that is if you agree to this.”

  Eldana gave Siem an eager look.

  “Of course, we agree.”

  Fraweyni nodded and smiled.

  “I will arrange for you and Kochob to meet. In this fight, telepathy is something you want to gain considerable skill in,” she said. “Now,” she sat up from her seat, “I believe a visit to the infirmary is in store. One of your friends and one of my commanders tested their limits during training, and I fear they got the better of each other.”

  “I can bet you anything that it is D’rmas.” Eldana said.

  Siem chuckled.

  “Who else would it be?” she asked rhetorically.

  Fraweyni led them through the forest. As she walked, flowers bloomed. Both of them followed behind, and their eyes admiring the magic Fraweyni created effortlessly.

  “Can you imagine?” Eldana whispered to Siem. “Being taught by elves.”

  “Yeah,” she whispered back. “I feel strongly that we are going to be successful, now. Plus staying here will give us the secrecy we desperately need at the moment. When we continue our journey, things will have worsened for sure, but we will be ready, and maybe Sinto, Lord Taboon, and the King’s search for us will have died down.”

  The infirmary was a large white tent, decked by curtains of flowering vines. They met Meko by the entrance speaking with a male elf. They both turned and bowed their heads acknowledging Fraweyni’s presence.

  “How are the patients doing?” Fraweyni asked.

  “They are back on their feet already,” Meko replied.

  “Their wounds were not too severe, I hope?”

  “No, mother.”

  “I thought there were things in place to prevent something like this happening?”

  “The blades were blunted,” the elf Meko had been speaking with said, “but they can still hurt!”

  “Well, whatever happened, your friend is in there. You can check up on his welfare.” Fraweyni said to Siem and Eldana, before signalling for Meko to come with her. She bade Eldana and Siem farewell and instructed the male elf to help them find their way to their tents when they were done.

  Siem watched them go, then turned to the male elf.

  “Is Fraweyni Meko‘s mother?” she asked him.

  The male elf looked at her, “Of course. She is our mother. She is the daughter of the first. She guides us.”

  “Come on, you know what I mean.” Siem rolled her eyes.

  The elf looked at her, then smiled. He seemed to hesitate for a short time, but he eventually gave her an answer to her question.

  “Yes.”

  “See? That was not so hard, was it?” Siem asked the elf.

  He smiled, and parting the opening to the infirmary’s entrance, ushered them in.

  Later, at night, Eldana, Siem, Hermon, Mikko, and D’rmas had been invited for a feast of sorts, which Fraweyni was personally hosting.

  “How do I look?” Hermon asked, making an exaggerated twirl.

  “Like a human child eager to impress?” Siem said.

  “Come on.” Hermon’s face soured.

  “I think you look good, Hermon.” Eldana said after a bout of laughter.

  “There,” Hermon looked at Siem, “that is how things like this are done. With compliments!”

  Eldana laughed again.

  Hermon was in brown trousers, black boots, and wore a brown leather jacket with silver studs over an off-white shirt.

  Eldana and Siem were in dresses, as Fraweyni had recommended.

  “You do know we are just going out to eat with the rest of the elves, right?” Siem asked him.

  “Of course,” Hermon replied, a puzzled look on his face.

  “Good,” Siem said. “Because trust me, the elven ladies are going to give you about as much time they give a fly.”

  Eldana burst into laughter, as did Siem.

  Hermon frowned, as he asked, “You think I do not know that?” And then; “We should be going!” He said angrily, heading towards the tent’s exit without waiting to see if both followed, laughing all the more.

  The feast was held in a large clearing, with the edges lined with tables and chairs that went full circle. Flowers hung from the tables like hair.

  “I have no doubt the elves conjured the tables and chairs from the plants,” Eldana told her friends.

  “Their mastery of nature shows such power!” Hermon said. “The elves are surely the most powerful race in Toas.”

  “They are also the oldest,” Eldana said.

  “That’s if you count out the orcs.” Siem corrected.

  “Oh, those,” Hermon said.

  Small globes from which light emitted were positioned in strategic places around the clearing, flooding it with so much light that were it not for its too-g
olden color, it would have been mistaken for sunlight. The tables were already laid with flagons, goblets, and platters of meat and fruits. As Hermon, Siem, and Eldana took their honored place at the head table, Hermon turned to both:

  “You know for someone who is not worth more than the time given to a fly, I can be really valuable. What did you two do all day, asides talk with Fraweyni?”

  Eldana laughed.

  “Come on, Hermon. You know I did not mean that, right?” Siem asked with a broad grin. “But to answer your question, we did nothing. We idled away the whole day, doing absolutely nothing.”

  A smile grew on Hermon’s face.

  “What did you do?” came from Eldana.

  “Every single platter of meat was prepared under the supervision of yours truly,” Hermon said with a bow.

  Eldana and Siem jokingly gave him a round of applause.

  Just then, Eldana spotted D’rmas and Mikko walking towards them. “And look who finally decided to join us.” She said, gesturing with her head towards the approaching pair.

  Siem turned her sight towards their direction, and her heart leaped at the sight of Mikko. She had not seen him since he was taken by the elves. Seeing him now brought back the feelings she had tried to put on hold since their first meeting. His black hair, stylishly curled, accentuated his facial features, and Siem could not find his smile more dashing.

  “A good evening to you all.” D’rmas greeted them on getting to the table.

  “Evening, D’rmas.” Hermon replied. “I hear you and one of the elven commanders had a tit for tat during training.”

  D’rmas guffawed. “I was as sure as chaos itself, that I was not going to let another person that was not a berserker defeat me. He won the fight in the end. He is an elf after all. But I did make it extremely difficult for him. Now he knows enough to turn the other away if he ever has to face any from the Qeltifom clan.”

  “Good for you,” Hermon said, shaking his head.

  D’rmas, Hermon, and Eldana got into a discussion about the elves and their seemingly haughty attitude, leaving Mikko and Siem to themselves.

  “Hello.” Mikko greeted with a smile.

  “Hello,” Siem replied with a smile of her own. “How have you been?”

  “Hmm”, Mikko said, mashing his lips together, and shaking his head contemplatively. “Well, for someone who lost all awareness of himself while taking a leak, and then waking up to find himself among one of the most revered and feared races in Toas, I would say pretty well.”

  “Good,” Siem said and looked away.

  Mikko studied her. “Good?” he asked. “Just that?”

  Siem looked at him, shifting a bit uncomfortably.

  “You are alive. You are safe. What else do you want me to say?”

  “I don’t know,” Mikko said, resigned. His eyes remained on her face. She stared back, unblinking before he looked away.

  “This is the first time you are seeing me in days, after my, erm, abduction. And this is all you say?”

  Siem folded her arms across her chest and affected indifference. “If my sense of observation is still correct, I know this is also the first time you are seeing me in days. And this is all you do? Question me?”

  Mikko smiled. “Of course not. Where are my manners? It is nice meeting you. Again.”

  The smile on his face vanished. He stared at Siem a moment longer, before turning, and walking to the other end of the table, so he could sit beside D’rmas.

  Her eyes stayed on him as he walked away until she got hold of herself. She did not understand why she had reacted that way to him. And she chided herself for it.

  You behaved like a child, she berated herself.

  Siem sat, angry at herself for the things Mikko was making her feel and do. It did not take long after Mikko and Siem’s mild altercation for Fraweyni to grace the table. She sat in the middle of the head table, Meko by her right, Kochob by her left, then Siem and Eldana after Kochob – in that order – and Hermon, D’rmas and Mikko after Meko.

  The elves sang a short song, a kind of prelude to the feast proper, and then the eating began.

  “Humans do this before eating,” Fraweyni said to the hearing of everyone at the table. “Pray to the gods.” She put a slice of meat into her mouth and chewed.

  Her movements were light and swift; her chewing gentle.

  “That was a prayer?” Hermon asked.

  “Yes,” Fraweyni replied. “But not a prayer to the gods, no. A prayer to nature. The elves are also, as most of your books must have told you, creatures of the song of nature. In that short song, we thanked nature for allowing us uninhibited access to its gifts. And wished that our access continued.”

  “Just that?” Mikko asked.

  Meko looked at him.

  “Forgive me.” He said. “But the song sounded like it said more than what you just said.”

  A burst of small laughter broke across the table, with the exceptions of Meko, and Siem – who felt her heart lurch at the sound of Mikko’s voice.

  “Well, the language is elven, Mikko.” Fraweyni replied. “And interpreting elven language word for word into your language is just not possible.”

  “Oh,” Mikko said and went back to his plate.

  As they ate, a small company of female elves walked into the center of the clearing. Gradually, music from flutes began to grow, until they were clear and sonorous.

  The female elves at the center began to dance, making gracious movements with their arms and feet. The spectacle arrested the interest of everyone in the clearing. There were moments, when the flutes sang slowly, infusing the atmosphere with calm, and an attitude of veneration, and then the melody picked again, going faster, lightening the atmosphere, and returning the mood of feasting.

  “What is it with the performance?” Siem asked.

  “It is a story. Something like what the humans call an epic. Only in our case, it is a tragedy.”

  Siem looked out in puzzlement. The voice that had just replied to her did not belong to Fraweyni. Eldana shared the puzzlement and looked to where the voice had come from.

  They met Meko’s eyes.

  “Did you say something? Eldana asked.

  “The dance,” she said. “It is a story about us. A sad story.”

  Finally, Siem thought, she speaks. “What does it say?” Siem asked of the recalcitrant elf.

  Meko swallowed the bit of meat that she had been chewing. Her movements were gentle. Just like Fraweyni’s.

  “It tells of the emergence of the First, the spread of the elven race, our survival of chaos, and the injustice we have met in the hands of the new races, in that order.”

  For a while, the clink of knives on plates were the only sounds that indicated life at the table. The dance was concluded, and the dancers moved back to their tables with applause from the other tables.

  “Finally,” Mikko told D’rmas under the sound of the applause. “I have never heard or seen something so depressing.”

  D’rmas grunted and nodded his affirmation.

  Half-way into the meal, Fraweyni raised a hand for silence. When the entire place had grown quiet, she lifted her goblet of wine.

  “This is to our suspects-turned-guests.” She said. “Mikko, D’rmas, Hermon, Siem, and Eldana. We speak our blessings to their endeavour and pray that it is achievable.”

  She rose the goblet higher, and many other goblets went into the air.

  “There is an extra bit of news,” Fraweyni said, as she dropped her goblet back to the table. “Our guests are going to be staying with us a little longer, before continuing the journey we interrupted.”

  Whispers broke across the tables. The elves were in doubt of the decision Fraweyni was presenting them. Fraweyni was well aware of their objections and reservations, and so let the whispers go on for a wh
ile longer. Then she lifted her hand into the air and asked for quiet.

  “I know, and understand my children, your grievances.” Her voice was soft, comforting, like a mother’s.

  Siem watched the exchange and developed a newfound respect for Fraweyni. There was something to admire in the way that she led the elves. There was no doubting the love that churned inside her.

  “I have lost a father, a mother, a husband, and very recently, a son. I feel the same loss you feel for your departed brethren. What is worse, I feel twice the sense of loss you all feel, because I carry both your burden and mine. We had decided, a long time ago, shortly after the purge, never to involve ourselves in the affairs of Toas. We went into reclusion, using our abilities to shapeshift to hide us. However, we were discovered, and we lost more as a result of that. What does this say? That whether we are involved or not, chaos still finds us. Now, while I do not doubt that we can hold our own in here, I am not throwing away the possibility that chaos will find us here. I have lost enough of my children. I am not ready to lose any more. Not even one. These people,” she gestured towards Eldana and her friends, “are trying to restore peace into the world. That way we can live peacefully. This is not a path that was chosen for them, but a burden that they have chosen for themselves. We must have a hand, this time, even though inconspicuously.”

  Eldana watched the elves sitting at the tables. She saw their countenances lighten, as Fraweyni spoke. It was like her words were dousing the flame of doubts they had in their minds.

  “It is true, that humans and the rest of the races have been cruel to us. But we have lived long enough to know that there are those among them who are different. Who does not share the greed and bloodlust of their kin? Merhawi the Great, who we all sing about in our epics, was a human. We cannot let the deeds of a foolish majority tarnish the entirety of the human race.”

  After the feast, Siem excused herself from Eldana and Hermon’s company. She had spotted Mikko leave the table with D’rmas, without so much as a glance her way. Despite herself, she had felt a spike of hurt, and decided to resolve things with him.

  “Hey.” She called, as she walked up to him.