Chapter 5

Paca woke with a start, from a dreamless sleep. Like a tide washing over him, his body flooded with a dull ache. The memories of his last moments of consciousness also came to him. His upper body was propped up by his tensing arms, feeling ponderous and tired. Returning to his back, the Mayan exhaled deeply and pulled the weighty silk covering up to his chest. He stretched his legs beneath the blanket, pointing his toes at the rock wall in front of him. Looking to his right, he noticed a simple, round, three legged table with a blackened, translucent bowl of boiling liquid held by its rim over a small fire on the platform below it. The liquid smelled sweet and thick. Taking a deep breath in, he could feel the syrupy steam entering his nostrils. His body and mind seemed to relax. The sensation of floating weightlessly on the surface of a pond overtook him. His eyes felt cool and moist. Their lids drifted closed and the room seemed to close in warmly. His face softened and his jaw relaxed.

The sound of hard wood grinding against stone brought him to being alert, held up by his elbows and looking in the direction of the sound.

“Excuse me, Pahkah. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” It was Voy’Brakken. The Nymph set his palm onto the dark man’s shoulder and urged him to lay back down. “Relax, Mayan. Your body still needs to relax.”

“What time of day is it?”

Looking into the human’s dark eyes, Voy’Brakken responded softly. “It is not long after Shadowless. Night has not come to pass while you slept.”

“Shadowless. The time when the sun is highest in the sky…” Paca said to himself.

“And sends the shadows of the trees away.” Voy’Brakken explained further. “I have a few more exercises to perform on you. Close your eyes. You don’t have to do anything.”

Paca was hesitant. He looked up at the thick Nymph questioningly. When the other set his eyes upon the Mayan and said nothing, he let his eyes shut. Not a moment later, his body felt humid and warm. At once, his muscles relaxed and failed to respond to his will. A new sensation occurred; starting from his feet and going to his knees, all senses seemed to be removed from him. No heavy blanket or warmth. Nothingness gradually swallowed him whole. His mind felt completely detached from everything. It wandered without boundaries within the blackness of his body. With only his consciousness at his disposal, Paca tried to access anything he could perceive. Suddenly, his creative faculties flashed into full existence.

He stood in a jungle. The air was pungent with the smell of damp wood and earth. Rays of light breached the canopy. His ears became nearly deaf with thousands of living things singing in chorus. Sweat rolled down his back and saturated his loincloth at the waist. The dirt was spongy beneath his feet.

“No better setting than your old world, yes?”

Paca felt every muscle in his body tense and turned around hesitantly. The most beautiful person he had ever seen was in front of him now. Her skin was a pale lavender colour and her long hair was as white as the full moon on a cloudless night. However, her eyes were completely black and were staring easily into the deepest parts of him. He noticed that her body was perfectly formed and proportionate because the clothing that covered it was tailored to her exact shape. Her tunic was comprised of small scales that reflected light like pearls and revealed her midriff. The pearlescent, scaled armor leggings started just below her knobby hips until they reached her knees, then boots made of white fur took over. “Who are you?” Paca asked once he regained his ability to speak.

The woman smiled. “I am Eri, The Phantom. I am one of the few Lyenthil’s Children to survive to this day. You are Paca Bowinghead. We are to meet soon.” She was matter-of-fact and jovial at the same time.

“Are we not meeting now?” Paca squinted his eyes in confusion.

“Not in the way you normally meet someone, Paca.” Eri reached for her hair with both hands and twisted it into a loose knot on top of her head. “I’ve taken the initiative to investigate you before your arrival at Nyahna. It is the will of Iber.” She paused and cocked her head to the side. “I can see why.”

It was then he noticed that her ears came to a point at the tips. “You’re an Elf.”

“Not exactly. I am what a human like yourself would call an Elf. I am Graelynisse. I have only heard of humans in childhood stories, Paca. Tell me- What are your current thoughts of Logos-Anima after coming from a world in which only humans exist?” She walked closer to him.

“It is strange, but I have come to accept my place in this world.” Paca looked to the side and shifted his weight as Eri got within arm’s reach of him.

“Do you want to hurt me, human? Do you want to kill my people?” She smiled as she enunciated every word to perfection. “Or do you want to do other things to me…” Now she was face to face with him and close enough to hear his heart beating.

All his weight was at his heels now, but he stood his ground. His sweating intensified. “No. It is my will to live in harmony with the races with whom the Gaia of Logos-Anima has found favor. It is in the best interests of my people for me to do so.”

“Good answer, Paca.” Her breath brushed against his cheek. Everything about this being was intimidatingly perfect, even her scent. Toe to toe for only a moment longer, Eri backed off. “Your people are hard to find, Mayan. Iber refuses to tell me. Do you even know where they are?”

“Your Gaia will tell me when I have completed the mission she’s given me. You must know where I am going next if we are having this conversation.” Paca decided to match the Phantom’s cockiness.

“Yes. I do. It will take you a little more time before finding out, however. There are two things that have to happen before that…”

“And those are…”

“First of all…” She turned her back to him. Some of the locks of hair that had not been included in the arrangement on the top of her head moved with the soft breeze that rose just then. She took another slow step; leaves crunching loudly beneath her foot. Suddenly, she was in his face again. “You need to wake up.” Then she pushed him off balance.

Paca jumped up to his feet, throwing the blanket off of him in a scramble. The next moment, he noticed that he was in his cell, wearing a tan coloured robe. The stone floor was hard and cold.

“Well, that’s one way to get up from a full day of sleep, friend. Are you well?” It was Nesonda.

“I am well. Did you say that I’ve been asleep for a whole day?” Paca asked. His body felt completely rejuvenated.

“Yes. Your meeting with Ardoren is soon. You may wish to prepare for it.”

***

Shei’s eyes felt cold and moist from tension and lack of sleep. Qfove stood next to her as they waited outside of the Governing Chambers at the top of Annayl. “There is no time like now,” Shei exclaimed and lead the way in.

Poliden’Ra and his counterparts focused their attention on Qfove as she followed Shei inside. “A Myric?” The light green Fah asked.

Shei looked at Qfove to read any unease that she might have expressed, but there was none. “Yes. She is bonded as my personal guard from here, forth.”

Poliden’Ra spoke himself. “What has my daughter done to earn the bond of a hive princess?” The question was directed at the Myric.

“She saved my life and the lives of most of my hive. Her strategy is the only reason why the Fah of Annayl did not die in their sleep this past night,” Qfove responded with her chirping voice.

The light green Fah responded. “Show us.”

Qfove bowed her head and Shei closed her eyes. Moments later, Poliden’Ra spoke again. “I am not pleased that my daughter had to face such a foe, but I am in the favor of the gods that she brought an end to it and survived. I give honor to your pact, Myric. Protect her with your life.

“Gather the rest of your hive and inform them that Qdae is the new hive princess. Tell your fastest hivekin to travel north to the Voasq Tribe and recruit their warriors. Go now, Myric.”

“I will at once, my King.” Qfove disappeared immediately.

“Hee,” Poliden’Ra continued, “You will find Copic and place him in the lead of your team. Though we need your experience in watching over the Lower Sefspar path, I do not want you involved in any more battles. This is not only because of my love for you, but also because I hear truth in Qfove’s instincts about you.”

“Yes, Father.”

Ahnsha vodm filled the room violently, bringing Shei to fall onto her knees. Poliden’Ra and his companions looked around for the source of the energy.

[Sister.]

Everyone’s attention was now focused on the idol. Poliden’Ra uprooted and backed away from it.

[Do not be alarmed, Father. I have been with you for this long and will never bring you harm. You believe even now that I am lame, but you are wrong. My body may be fused still, but my mind is near boundless.]

Though the Fah are incapable of facial expressions, Shei found it obvious that Poliden’Ra  was absolutely confounded. “Brother… focus on me.”

[I have watched you since you left this place, sister... ten Aunnei ago. You have been my constant focus. They are right about you. Your path is nearly endless.]

“Brother… what do you see?” Shei’s head felt like it was going to explode. Her words came through clenched teeth.

The ahnsha vodm dulled significantly, allowing Shei to stop clasping at her head long enough to listen. [I cannot tell you where your future will take you, sister, but I can reveal the past. The Dragons are responsible for the Di'Fet.]

“How? Why?” Unease became putrid in the Governing Chambers.

[Father knows why. Yet the motive and implementation, I can make plain. It has become evident that the Dragons have become restless and wish to dominate the world. Clearly, the Fah'Voy Ra are one of the most dire threats to this plan... because of our innate ability to speak with our minds. We cannot be easily divided- especially within our own tribes. It is because of this that the Di'Fet have been created.

[I watched as the Dragon known as Ahn brought a small group of Dragons to the south coast of the Sefspar Peninsula and invaded the minds of the tribes living there. It was not sensed by any other because they have a stealthy, undetectable form of ahnsha xithortikos. It generates no vodm.

[Ahn left his minions there until only three Aunnei ago. Over that expanse of time, that group of Dragons poisoned the minds of the tribes living in that area. I knew when the poisoning was complete when I could no longer feel our brothers and sisters living in Lower Sefspar.]

Shei straightened up. “How do you know that the ultimate goal of the Dragons is the control of the other races?”

[If it were not, Ahn might as well have brought a team of Dragons to exterminate us entirely. I believe that the Dragons want slaves. With each race comes a series of unique gifts. Some of these gifts would be to the Dragons' advantage to employ. Others, like our ability to connect at the mind, are disastrous. If you can think for yourself and can gain the support of your people easily, you will not be likely to follow the evil whims of they who love destruction and chaos.]

Poliden’Ra spoke. “Why wait until now to tell us?”

[Because Shei is here.]

Shei furrowed her brow. “Why is it that I am so important, brother?”

[Yours is a mind that thirsts for unity. Power is created in unity. If you can unify the races against this foe, each of those races can have a fighting chance against the Dragons.]

“What are you proposing that I should do?”

[If I were lustful for power, I would have already considered my next threat. Of all the races, Shei, which would you want to destroy first to ensure your victory?]

The answer came to her immediately. “The Graelynisse.”

[Why?]

Shei considered the answer for a moment. “Because they are undoubtedly the First Race. There are Graes living now that have seen the world before Dragons came. They know how the world works and could never be told otherwise. Furthermore, the Graes are an honorable people. They would fight to save the races that were interested in surviving.”

[This is why I had to wait for you, sister. There is no more correct an answer. Go to the Graelynisse. You will need their assistance.]

“No,” Poliden’Ra stood tall. “She will not go to the Graelynisse. The Fah’Voy Ra have never fought alongside them. What makes you certain that they will start now?”

[Shei is not just a Fah, Father. Your daughter has blood ties with those who have stood alongside the Graes before.]

“She has not the skill to use Prana, either. What makes you so sure that she can stand against a Dragon?” Poliden’Ra was obviously terrified.

[She won't have to.]

“Father, I hear truth in my brother’s words. I will go to the Graelynisse once I have fortified a capable group to hold off the threat until I have sent Nymphs to provide further aide. This is my path. I must honor it.” Shei spoke as confidently as she felt. Then she thought of Qfove and her pact. Was the Myric prepared for such an extensive journey? Would she be ready to go beyond the reach of any Fah to fulfill her convictions? Shei sensed that her protector’s words were not empty or rushed. “I must go.”

[Sister.]

“Brother?”

[My name is Sa'Kata. It is good to finally be around you.]

“I have dreamed of you often, Sa’Kata. Please continue to watch over me and tell our Father that I am well.” Shei smiled and left the chamber.

***

The Lord of the Guard stood with ten of his most capable soldiers at the top of the stairs leading down to the holding area below the Dictorium. It would be moments before his first time actually seeing the Dark Man. He and his small troop would escort him to Sheidell and stand close guard over Pahkah while he was in front of Ardoren. He hoped that the Dark Man would attempt something that would prove him dangerous now or on the way to Sheidell, because his departure from there will mean his citizenship amongst the Nymphs otherwise. The Lord of the Guard felt uneasy about this, because this human would then have his own quarters from which he could leave at any time. He could speak to whoever he wanted and have only the gods to see his every move.

It troubled the Lord that one of his most trusted guards, Nesonda, has taken a very serious liking to the offworlder. The Man had this guard, Shei, Ra’Toh and a few other Nymphs vouching for him. Certainly there was something that all of these constant witnesses have missed about him. It just seemed too easy for the Man to come and live amongst the Nymphs for so long and nothing go wrong with the arrangement. Yes, Pahkah came to live amongst them as a prisoner, which was just fine for the Lord of the Guard, but to take this next step…

Then he saw him. The Dark Man. He was wearing a fitted, dark blue nyfyle silk robe. It was tailor made to fit him exactly. Such special treatment for a prisoner.

The Mayan looked up at the Lord of the Guard for the first time as well. “I am here to be escorted to Lohtohr Hall.”

At once, the Lord felt strangely at ease with the Dark Man. All these seasons of expectations passed with nothing but anger and resentment for the Man and here he is, speaking in Dragontongue and hoping that he has the right escort. “Come with us.”

It was a trick. Pahkah probably does know Prana, but he uses it subtly. The Lord’s massive hand gripped the hilt of his sword and walked behind the Mayan. As the escort reached the public square, the Dark Man drew his hood to become less noticeable. A sure sign that he was hiding something. There was no doubt in the Lord of the Guard’s mind about it. He couldn’t believe that, even for a moment, he felt calm about this prisoner.

The twelve made a direct path to the Warfyle Master’s bay. After instructing the Warfyle Master to appoint the Lord as the Warfyle’s instructor, Pahkah was chained to the massive insect. With the bonds secure, the brief journey to Sheidell began. The Lord was disappointed that he had not been able to draw his sword against the prisoner, but they still had time. The Nymphallatess was a completely different kind of city. Perhaps the environment of Sheidell would be more provocative.

They landed after an uneventful flight and the Dark Man’s wrists were freed from the chains. Once again, Pahkah was surrounded by the escort and led into the stone city of Sheidell. Here, other Lords and Nymphs of great importance would see the prisoner for the first time. It was even more embarrassing than the time he had to escort the Fah through these halls. At least they were from this world. At least Nymphs knew what they were looking at. The Lord was grateful for the one, small blessing that hood on Pahkah’s robes provided. Anonymity.

The escort finally reached the doors to the Hall. The guards at the post removed the hood to look at the Dark Man and removed the robe to check for anything that could be dangerous to Ardoren. Satisfied, the guards allowed Pahkah to clothe himself and regain his dignity. The doors opened once the Dark Man finished tying his sash.

The escort led Pahkah to the center of the seal in front of the High Seat. After lowering Pahkah to his knees, they walked backwards to keep an eye on the prisoner and took positions at the border of the seal. The Mayan would be made to wait there in the midst of all this High Nymphs. In this quiet, uncomfortable Hall. The Lord’s grip on the sword hadn’t released since they left the Nymphallatess and his knuckles were white enough to prove how much he wanted to use it.

There were hundreds of Nymphs standing around the seal of Ardoren. There was a quiet murmur in the crowd, but it remained hushed enough that one calm voice could be heard by all. Finally, a voice came. “Human. Remove your hood so that you may be seen by all of Nymphkind.” The voice belonged to a judge.

Pahkah did as he was told and there was a barely audible gasp from the crowd when he did so. The murmuring heightened thereafter. Despite the Lord’s constant wishes, the Dark Man acted calmly and appropriately.

Endless moments passed and the hilt of the sword became sweaty. When he finally let go, his fingers started to cramp. It was mildly difficult to open his hand, but when the colour returned to his palm, the Lord of the Guard casually rested it on the pommel of his sword.

The whispers amongst the High Nymphs came to a rest. The Royal Guard, which was not under the control of the Lord of the Guard, hit the floor with their pikes simultaneously. It was then the King of the Nymphs, Ardoren Lohtohr, entered the Hall. Once taking his position at the High Seat, the King had an unrestricted view of the Dark Man. Silently, he mused at his quarry. The King’s back was straight and his armor was polished. That Nymph was the most impressive of them all. Though much shorter than the Lord of the Guard, he commanded respect like no other Nymph the Lord had ever set eyes upon.

Ardoren watched Pahkah maintain an unmoving bowing posture for many minutes. The Dark Man had his hands and knees planted into the seal in the most humble manner he could maintain. Ardoren finally called for Pahkah to raise his head. Then he was commanded to straighten his posture as he sat on his feet. Pahkah did so.

“Pahkah, you have influential friends. Shei is one of my greatest servants. Though she is upstanding and highly disciplined, there are rare causes in which she can be naive. Are you one of those causes?” When Ardoren spoke, leaves became greener and trees stood erect, thought the Lord of the Guard.

“I consider her efforts with me to be justified acts of patience, my King.” Pahkah replied.

“You speak well, Mayan. Was my servant your only teacher?” Ardoren was sincerely impressed.

“She carried most of the weight, my King.” Pahkah was smart. He said no more than he had to. The Lord had to wonder if the Dark Man would be required to speak at length.

“Do you know why you are here, Pahkah?”

“My Lord, I am here to offer you what proof you need in order to know that I am not a danger to Nymphkind.” Pahkah’s voice was unwavering.

Ardoren nodded and leaned forward. “What was the circumstance of your arrival, Mayan?”

Pahkah told of the Mayan pact with their gods and the resulting ritual. He spoke about how he was chosen to go and the circumstances of his arrival. A few stories were told about his experience in learning Dragontongue and about Nymph History. He closed with an adequate summery of his time here. It was everything that Shei told the Lord of the Guard. There were no holes and no errors. Everything was offered and recall of each situation was instant. While there were some words that Pahkah didn’t know, he found ways to explain himself to achieve a full understanding. The countenance of nearly every Nymph in the audience and that of Ardoren were the same: impressed.

“Pahkah, I am ready to admit to you that the prospect of having an offworlder, such as you, living with the Nymphs is actually quite an honor. I look forward to learning more about your world personally and through my historians. Tell me- during your time here, have you thought of a profession?” Ardoren rarely makes decisions that quickly. He must sense that the Dark Man is trustworthy. The Lord of the Guard removed his hand from his sword and clasp them together in front of him.

“My Lord, I request that I be taught your ways of medicine and healing.” Pahkah was confident in his request. This felt good to the Lord of the Guard as well, as there was absolutely nothing violent about the healing arts.

“This is appropriate, Mayan Priest. I trust that, if you had enough faith in your gods to find yourself on Logos-Anima, you will have very few problems learning this art.”Ardoren set his back against the silk cushion on his throne. “Judges, please speak with your sponsors and vote on my decision to allow Pahkah the right to learn our method of healing.”

Some of the Nymphs from the audience went to the lower seats and cast their votes. Moments later, a royal guard appears with a wooden chip and hands it to Ardoren. The guard turned to the seal and spoke. “The courts approve the decision unanimously.”

The members of the audience buzz their wings in approval.

“Pahkah, you may choose your mentor and learn from him as long as it takes before you are fit to perform. What level of citizenship do you hope to attain?” Ardoren leaned forward again.

“It is my sincere wish that I gain the level of citizenship you feel is most appropriate, my King.”

Another impressed look on Ardoren’s face. Pahkah’s humility has paid off. “Pahkah, I am recommending that you are accompanied by an Apranis Guardian. You will obey our laws and our alliances. The Guard will be notified if any law or alliance fails to be observed on your behalf. You are free to trade, move about the city and be in possession of your personal quarters at the Nymphallatess. Only by invitation are you allowed at Sheidell and the diplomatic halls of the Nymphallatess. This excludes your time with Shei Rhessi, during which time you may observe her rights but not enforce them. Judges, please speak to your sponsors and vote on my decision to allow Pahkah the right to live as a basic citizen with extended rights by association.”

The judges took more time with the decision and cast their votes. Another wooden chip was offered to the King and the same royal guard faced the seal. “The courts, by majority of nine to two, approve the decision.”

Ardoren holds up the chip and reads it to himself. “Pahkah, I am required by Nymph Law to state why this decision was not passed unanimously. There are six counts of concern that your citizenship might imply the visit or the permanent manifestation of any number of Humans in the Nymphallatess. I hereby rule that, without expressed permission from the courts and myself that none of your people may inhabit the Nyphallatess for any length of time.

“My people!” Ardoren spoke just loud enough to create an echo in the Hall. “Welcome amongst yourselves the first Human citizen of the Nyphallatess! If there be no other details to address in this meeting, I move to adjourn it.”

Wings buzzed excitedly. Even the Lord of the Guard felt elation warming his heart. This is a historic moment, he thought to himself.

“Rise, Pahkah. You are one of us now.” Ardoren Lohtohr stood as Pahkah did, buzzing his wings to join the audience in applause. Once the buzzing stopped after several moments, Ardoren gestured at the Lord of the Guard. “Take Pahkah and have his Apranis Guardian acclaimated. Once finished, arrange for his quarters.” Ardoren buzzed his wings and left the Hall. His royal guards followed and the meeting was over. Only the Lord of the Guard would deliver the Dark Man to the Sciences Court to bond him with the guardian. It would take some time, the Lord supposed. He’s never seen one actually affixed to an object, though he’s taken note of the guardians watching over Sheidell and its more valuable wares.

The Lord joined Pahkah in the center of the seal. “Right this way.” Pahkah returned the hood and kept the Lord’s pace.

The two made their way to the Sciences Court in relatively little time. No words were said. Upon their arrival, the Nymph scientists were already made aware of the bonding. A female Nymph dressed in white, official clothing spoke to the Lord. “You may wait here. He will be ready in a moment.”

Pahkah followed her inside. For a newcomer, the Lord of the Guard thought, he is certainly not curious. He recalls that even the Fah he escorted through the Halls, on the day that Shei arrived, showed more interest in their environment. It still felt peculiar.

If Pahkah was truly sincere, he would have shown some kind of emotion. Nervousness. Protest. Excitement. Relief. Pride. Anything but this constant state of humility. Perhaps the Mayan still felt like a slave. Maybe his gods are difficult to please. Maybe he ate too much vin before the meeting. The Lord knew that feeling all too well.

Sheidell was a stark contrast to the Nyphallatess. The Lord of the Guard always found it difficult not to notice his personal reaction. Even Sheidell was very natural, though it was made of fine, smooth stones covered in algae instead of the Nymphallatess’ being made of algae covered wood and flat stone floors. The Lord knew that this stronghold was to protect the royalty of the Nymphs, but the real treasure was stored in the Nymphallatess. At least, according to Shei, the history of the Nymphs was irreplaceable and priceless. The Lord recalled a conversation with Shei, in which she stated that the Dragons could burn Sheidell until every one of its stones were molten- yet the Nymphs would retain their wealth in its entirety.

“Yet if one burned the Dictorium, all would be lost for the Nymphs.”

Shei referred to the De’Kandis Regalium. The spirit of the whole civilization is in that room, she said.

Pahkah appeared from the doorway at which the Lord had been passively staring. The small, nearly indestructible insect flew around him like a moth near a lamp. The Dark Man, from this day forward, would be considered as much a Nymph as Shei was.

“Congratulations.” The Lord of the Guard said to the hooded Mayan. “Let’s return the the Nymphallatess and assign your quarters.”

The journey down the halls and the flight back to his familiar territory had the Lord deep in thought about what being a Nymph really meant to him.