The Meltolyn sat in silence. The Invitation from Mir seemed to have
everyone thinking different thoughts. What was the real reason for this
meeting of peace by the Mirish. The room would remain dark and cold until
the Euphors had finished discussing what they felt was the best plan of
action.
Chiron could not understand what the big deal was. Why this had to be
discussed in closed quarters. Without the Celpalari help in the fight
against the Sinari, Mir would not have succeeded. The Celpalari had a proud
right to be present at such a meeting. As soon as the Euphors finally came
out he would make sure he was selected to go. It had been a long time since
Chiron had left the island and he was going to do whatever it took to make
sure that he was chosen to embark on this trip.
****************************************************
The Euphors talked just in the next room.
Taretin-ren Marist, elder wizard of the Council of Celpalari Mages couldn't
hold back his excitement. Anytime Celpalar mages were invited to visit Mir
there was a possibility of new knowledge. The others were wary of the
Mirish Mages after what they had done to the Celpalari people so he would
have to be very clever with his wording of this issue.
"We must send mages with this expedition. It is crucial that we try and
gain some new teachings or understandings. It must be." Taretin-ren spoke
through his dark red beard that had signs of white throughout it.
Nisi-an-lyn, the wealthy female merchant Fleet owner from Areneth
interrupted before he could finish. "This is an excellent time for trade
talks. We have been doing extremely well with our new allies the Aixelsydan
and if we sent the right person we could open up even more trade routes,
perhaps we should try to finally work openly with the Taltherans."
Joo-ga looked up from the piece of paper he had in his hand. It was the
official invite with the Mirish seal upon it. He was the elder of the
Tel-tel merchant family of Maelmor so trade always interested him. "Yes I
believe this is a great opportunity." He spoke in his creaky ancient voice.
He was shorter then the rest of the Euphors but when he spoke the others
gave him their attention and utter respect. He was considered by most the
silent leader of the Celpalari.
Joo-ga turned to look at Frok-rumen-eth, more widely know as Storm Runner.
The two were comparable in age give or take a few cycles of the moon. Storm
Runner simply nodded his head. Words were meaningless to the legendary
warrior when such a benefit for the Celpalari people could be seen.
"Very well then. We shall send representatives from the three biggest
merchant families and three Meltolyns to speak for the people. We will
also send an honor guard made up of heroes from the Sinari war. We will
want the navy and the Army represented so send Admiral Klack along. It
might do him some good to perform somewhere else besides the crowds the two
kings can gather to try and persuade the populous to vote in their favor and
against the other." Joo-ga spoke looking at each of the other Euphors for
equal amounts of time.
Storm Runner cleared his voice and then spoke softly "I feel we should also
send 10 of the new special units to Mir as well. After their inability to
make any real progress I think it will give Terris and his students a
feeling of importance that can hopefully drive them to achieve more
satisfactory results. Even if these troops do not leave the ship they sail
on it is a sign to them that we believe in them." Storm runner spoke
slowly. As age had crept up on the warrior he had found his speech slow as
his brain thought more carefully about what it was he wished to say. His
eyes stopped upon Taretin-ren Marist.
The mage had gone silent since his initial statements. Storm Runner looked
into his face. The mage was holding back something. Tension was making him
lightly grind his teeth. Storm Runner shot a look to Joo-ga. Joo-ga got
the meaning in his friends glance.
"We Celpalari do not pretend to trust the Mirish. We fought with them
against the Sinari and since then have begun to trade delicately with them
but make no mistake the Mirish are still not trusted on this Island or by
its people. There may be much harm to come from Mirish magical teachings.
If we were to send an emissary of our Mages what is to say we will not do
more harm then good. Can we really trust any of our own mages here with our
interests if lets say the Mirish offer them the knowledge to power beyond
their wildest dreams if only they turn their backs on Celpalar? Or if they
are willing to help the Mirish once again conquer us?" Joo-ga questioned
earnestly to Taretin-ren, coughing slightly at the end of his questions.
The Mage Marist, who by any means was hardly a young man rubbed his fingers
about in the palms of his hands as he thought how to respond.
Revar-Fel spoke now. "Tar, if you can personally guarantee the safety of
Celpalar and its people from such an action then I don't see why we cannot
send some Mages along. Perhaps they can actually learn something to help
with the ship research project that is currently underway."
The Mage looked up to his ally in the circle of five and smiled. Rev was
giving him away to get some mages to Mir. A diplomatic mage was needed to
send to Mir. The only way he could personally guarantee anything was if.
"I will go myself. I will take two other mages from the High Council of
Mages. I will take Dyeh-gil-Hae (or 'Silver Beard') and Vulki-gul-raral (or
Vulki the 'Dark Dancer')." The silence was absolute. Even the noisy
Meltolyn in the next room seemed to be quiet.
Vulki 'the Dark Dancer' was described by friends as brutal and the word
death was uttered by his enemies. He had not been sent to fight the Sinari
for fear that he would not be able to control himself after the fighting was
done.
Vulki had invented several strange spells that the Council of Mages was
still not sure if they wished the knowledge of such things disclosed. One
of the oddest spells was Vulki's ability to speak to other creatures when he
looked into water. One of the main creatures he talked about was Goblins.
Legends say his mother had taught him this ability but other legends
discredit that saying Vulki had slain his parents by the age of 10.
Even Revar-Fel was not sure how to respond to this. Sensing everyone else's
silence Joo-ga gave it a stab "You mean to tell me you wish to go to Mir
yourself?"
"That is correct."
"You do understand that you would have to forfeit your position as Euphor
until you returned. We are no good as four, the Euphor must have five in
order to decide a close vote." Storm Runner added in.
"I do. I choose to have Chiron represent me. He has been a Euphor before
and I feel he is up for the task."
"Just what is it you hope to achieve by opening more dialog with the Mirish
Mages?" Joo-ga asked squinting his eyes. His baldhead seemed to crinkle as
well with the motion.
"Knowledge to help protect the Island of Celpalar. You all know 'Silver
Beard' is attempting to find ways to create the Arth Brach. Perhaps he can
find some clues in Mir on how to do such a thing and make it so we can
create this Arth Brach over the entire Island. Perhaps we can find
something to make the ship research even more successful and purposeful for
future ships and I have always wanted to find out more about the ancient
gates of travel and what is know about the lands that lie beyond."
"And why bring Vulki?" Joo-ga asked refusing to acknowledge the rest of his
name.
"I am curious as to what it is that troubles him."
*************************
Shin...
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