Write More, Talk Less

Of Departures and Unspoken Words

Theo dressed at sunrise. His pack awaited him; he took it to the stables and left it with Wildfire’s tack. He are alone in the great hall. Others were present, but they kept their distance. He didn’t meet their eyes.

After eating, he closed his eyes, took a deep steadying breath, then went to the library. He looked around the large room but didn’t see anyone. The sconces along the walls were lit, but the sunlight coming in from the clerestory windows made their light useless. He picked up a book on Allegiances and sat on the couch in front of the fire. He’d read it many times before, but continued to seek new meanings. The chapter before him debated whether law or heart bound a soldier the tightest.

When Garbi entered, he noticed. She had an air about her that made the room more comfortable. She was wearing blue again, the color of the sky on a summer’s day. She sat down on the couch a little ways from him and frowned.

“Yesterday you called me a coward.” Her voice was hard, rough. “There’s a rumor going around that you are swearing allegiance to the Still Ones.” He liked that she always went straight to the point. She didn’t hide behind soft deceptions or small talk.

“It isn’t my decision.” He looked back to his book.

“You always do as you’re told?” she asked sarcasti­cally, “You never took orders as a child, especially when they were contradictions to your own willful behavior. You hated orders from anyone, especially people in authority.”

He didn’t look up. “‘I am sworn to uphold the rights of the people and-’“

She interrupted. “I know your oath! I was there when you swore it. You don’t have to repeat it!”

He paused, knowing she wouldn’t approve of him repeating what she already knew. “I was against swearing allegiance to the Still Ones and so were others, but we were out-voted. You know what happens if I leave the order. I become a Keeper and fade into a garden.” He finally looked at her.

“No!” she answered hastily. “I just want to know why you didn’t tell me instead of letting me hear it from Eil. She sneered at me and said the Armsmen must just be trying to protect themselves..”

“She told you a partial truth. We are trying to protect our world, not just ourselves.” Garbi shook her head. “I know what you would think. I know what must go through everyone’s mind when I tell them.”

She didn’t smile. “I don’t understand why this is the Armsmen’s choice. You know this is going to end badly. And what does my father think?”

“He agrees.” He looked back to his book.

“Theo,” she paused. “I’m going to Galvi. I will not stay here.” She stood. Theo didn’t look up and didn’t comment on her sudden outburst.

He didn’t answer her, but changed topics. “I thought you were going to tell me about the Wizards of Carlon,” he asked.

“Yes, I’ll go find the book.” She picked up a candle and hurried off. Theo wondered if she might be embarrassed about her asking him to take her to Galvi, but would not discuss the subject with her yet. While she was gone looking for the book, Patria entered. His eyes met Theo’s and he crossed the room with strong strides.

“You should have told me.” Patria declared.

“Orders.” he started.

“Don’t act surprised. You knew I’d hear of it.” Silence stretched between them. “I never objected to anything you’ve ever done with the Armsmen. Until now.” Patria sat down next to him. His face was dark as he scowled at Theo.

Theo didn’t know what to say. “Father, it was decided. I’m not abandon the order.”

“You are allies with the destroyers of our homeland, I can’t see how that is doing any good.” He paused. When Theo didn’t say anything, he went on. “I’ve always believed you were something special, from the day you were born. And I pray that this is the right decision that you are making.” Patria stood up and looked down.

“It’s survival for us and those we swore to protect.” Patria studied him with a long measured look but didn’t speak. “Will you be returning home?” Theo asked.

“I had planned to, eventually. Now, I’ll leave after you do. Don’t do this. Change your mind. Change your plans. The Sky Riders would never have betrayed us.”

“They are gone, father.”

“What have you become?” Patria pulled away, his voice even. “You were everything to us, Theofania.” The fire snapped between them but Theo didn’t look up. “I do not recognize you.” Theo stood suddenly, but his father turned and left.

Theo almost followed but heard a book drop behind him. He turned and spotted Garbi behind the shelves, a book at her feet. Theo turned and put his head in his hands.

“I expected him to be furious.” she frowned at the door Patria had left through.

“Oh no. He is quiet in his disapproval.”

“He is the only one who calls you that.”

Theo nodded then looked up, needing to change the subject. “Why do you doubt that the Wizards are working with the Still Ones? I would have thought our landscape proof enough.”

“Couldn’t the Still Ones have persuaded other wizards?”

“None are strong enough to do what was done.”

“They swore to protect the earth. This is a violation of that oath. Their magic comes from the earth. To destroy it-”

Theo interrupted. “What they did and are going to contin­ue to do doesn’t have to be considered destruction.”

“Then what would you call it?” she asked and he shrugged. “To destroy the beauty of one land and make it ugly...”

“Things change. It could be called progress.”

“But our land is dead!” Garbi seethed with controlled anger. She didn’t come closer, she kept a space between them.

“Not exactly.” he soothed. “Our land was sustained by magic. You’ve never traveled off our island. You have­n’t seen other countries; no other land had our beauty. Now, the magical plants are dead. Next spring, the other plants will take their place.”

“No-” Garbi whispered. She went to stand in front of the fire. She watched it and finally understood what she had seen. “What about me?” she whispered. “I had a little bit of magic. But I didn’t notice a change in the people.” She turned to him. “What about the animals, and Wildfire?”

“He’s fine. He hasn’t changed. He is special. He’s not about to become a normal creature. I have checked on him. He assured me he was fine. I don’t know what happened to the other animals.” Theo stood up and went over to her.

“This didn’t happen.” she whispered. “It’s a nightmare.” She stepped away from him.

Theo couldn’t say anything.

“You are going to accompany me to Galvi before you journey to Calvert.” she said.

“No, and before you protest, I want to explain. I want you to teach the other women here how to fight, with swords and bows, and how to wear armor.”

“You think I should be a teacher.”

“Why not you? You’re better with a sword than I am, and who else would teach them? They need you to show them that it’s important. Insult them. call them cowards, or  worse, tell them they’re to lady-like to learn how to use weapons. I’m betting that they want someone to teach them how to protect themselves. And you’ll be a better teacher than one of the guardsmen. You won’t coddle them like the men would.”

“True.” She took a deep breath. “I cannot respect this. I am not a prisoner in my own realm. I will form a resistance. I will protect my people. And maybe you’ll learn that you need to do that, too.” She turned to leave the library.

“This isn’t what I want. You have to know that.”

“I don’t know you, Theo. Not anymore.” She left.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, wondering how he’d make it through the next few weeks. Everything had changed and yet he was the same. He knew he had to leave, sooner rather than later so he went off to find Ilaron. He asked for help from a passing servant and the boy said he was in his chambers. Theo thanked him and went to Ilaron’s rooms.

He knocked and heard “come in,” so he opened the door. “I’m not disturbing you, am I?” Theo asked.

“No. I wanted to talk to you anyway.” Theo went in. Ilaron pointed to one of two chairs by the fireplace and Theo sat down. Ilaron stood by the fire, a glass in his hand, but it was empty. He wore a green robe that went to the floor; tied at his waist. He offered Theo a drink which Theo declined then poured himself another.

Ilaron turned to watch the fire. “Theo, I want you to find a way to keep my daughter from going to Galvi.”

Theo reassured him. “She’s not going to Galvi. She’s staying here.”

Ilaron turned to look at Theo. “How’d you do it?”

“I asked her to teach the women here to fight. She’ll stay because she considers it a challenge.”

Ilaron smiled at him. “I figured it would be that easy to get her to stay. I had begged her to reconsider leaving, but she can be so pig-headed.”

“Just like you.”

Ilaron chuckled. “Yes, she’s my daughter all right! She’ll make a wonderful Archon.”

“How long before she takes the throne?”

“When she is 30, she will become the next Archon of Myralia.”

“Why are you worried? She has plenty of time to to find her footing and become a strong and capable leader, just like you. She won’t need me around. I’m heading for Galvi in the morning to book passage to the mainland.”

“Yes, I had heard you were traveling to swear allegiance to the Still Ones. I suppose we’ll all have to do that eventually. And you don’t think you’ll be returning?” Theo just shrugged. He was relieved that Ilaron saw it that way.

Ilaron smiled, sadness in his eyes. “I agreed with you last night. This is inevitable. We want peace. If this is the path we must travel, so be it. Maybe the land will heal, and we’ll all be more equal.” Ilaron reflected. “Enough talk. You should get on the road. Don’t worry about us, we’ll make the right choices when the time comes.”

“Thank you, Ilaron. I’m not sure you’re right, but I’m glad you don’t hate me.”

He headed back to the stables and found that Wildfire was anxious to go. He saddled his steed, who looked nothing like a horse. Wildfire was cat-like, pawing the ground with metallic claws instead of feet. The iron along his back and across his forehead was embedded in his skin, not placed like armor. His body had no skin, no fur, no mane. He whipped his long tail back and forth, threatening the wall with the iron spikes on the end.

“Let me get you saddled up and we’ll be ready to go.”

{I am ready. We should have left earlier. We may not make it to the port by dark.} Wildfire spoke in his mind. Only he could hear him, a gift of their bond.

“I know. But I had unfinished business here. It may be a long time before we can come back.”

Once Theo had placed all the tack on Wildfire and stowed his few belongings behind the saddle, he mounted and headed into the yard. Most everyone kept their distance, even though everyone here knew him. No one bid him goodbye. No one said their farewells. He urged Wildfire through the gate and out onto the road.

There were people traveling, but less than should be for the summer season. The shock of the change in the landscape must be too jarring to everyone. He could see the change already. He passed small towns that seemed darker, more foreboding than before. Where once everyone seemed kind and open, they now felt closed off and hostile.

About mid-afternoon he saw a lone woman walking ahead of him, toward the Port, just as he was. He slowed and rode up next to her. She wore a plain homespun dress and carried a pack and a bow over her shoulder. Her brown hair was pulled back in a tight black braid down her back and she was lean and fit like a farm worker. She looked over her shoulder as Wildfire rode up behind her. She shifted slightly to the side but did not shy away from them. “Well met, sir,” she said simply.

“Well met, miss,” Theo replied. “Where are you headed?”

“To the Port, to seek passage to Calvert and training.” Her eyes were deep and dark, slanted slightly. Her skin was suntanned bronze, proving her time in the fields. “Do you return to the Armsmen holdings?”

“Yes.” He was not surprised she knew who he was, Wildfire alone would give him away. “I am returning to swear to the Still Ones.”

“Makes sense. You need to be close to influence them. As we lost, I suppose that is the price.”

He blinked. “Most don’t think that.”

She nodded once, then studied him. “Most people don’t think strategy.” She adjusted her pack. “I move when the ground shifts. Power shifts and when we don’t move with it, we get buried under it. I choose not to be crushed. My family didn’t like it, but they’ll manage.”

Theo jumped down. “May I walk with you awhile?”

“Of course. I’m Lydian,” she said.

The sun set over the green fields and bright blue waters of Myralia. A castle stood on the highest point in the country and looked shining white in the fading light. One cloaked figure looked over the land that smelled alive, gifted with something indescribable. The sun passed the horizon and the smell dissipated. The figure’s breath caught and tears welled in his eyes. He pulled his cloak tighter to him and entered the castle.

He walked slowly down the passages into the great hall. He looked at the small gathering and sighed, his throat tightening. Voices were hushed in soft conversations so as not to disturb the sobriety of the hour.

As he entered, a man asked him, “Did you watch it, Theo?” Theo turned to two men leaning against the wall nearest the door. They were dressed similarly to everyone in the great hall, simple brown utilitarian clothes. The men were both years older than Theo, and he nodded to them respectfully. He dropped his cloak from his head and revealed light brown hair, cropped short. His gray eyes looked to the man who had spoken and studied him. His face showed signs of age and responsibility and his bald head added to his command rather than detract from it. Theo could see the anguish in the face of the man. His companion was an older man with short steel gray hair and features similar to Theo’s stern jaw and high cheekbones.

“Yes, Lord Ilaron. I watched the end.” Theo looked around the room, his strong face clearly showing pain for those gathered there.

Ilaron smiled sadly. “A time will come, Theo, when all of us would have wanted to see the end come. Though it would only be one more thing to keep us bitter and filled with hate for those who would do this.” Ilaron’s green eyes looked piercingly at the younger man. “We need that hate if we are to win.”

Theo frowned and shrugged into his cloak as though seeking warmth. “You know that if we feel hate, we’ve already lost. I feel sorrow and anguish and will feel worse in the months ahead, but we were conquered and must pay the consequences of fighting them. Every land has lost something to the winner.”

The man to Ilaron’s right grunted and ground his teeth. Ilaron looked to him and put his hand on his shoulder but was shrugged off. Ilaron said, “When we surrendered three days ago, we had no idea the price we would pay for fighting. They still had the right to destroy us and take away the beauty.”

Theo looked ill. “I feel like someone who has cut out their own heart.” He looked at a group of women huddled together in a corner. “I fought hard for this. We all did. And we lost. Now we must pay for the struggle.” Theo went to one of the tables and sat down hard. He looked at the relics of the past hanging around the hall. The banners of battles waving from the ceiling, the swords and shields clinging to the walls, the tapestries interspersed throughout, and the stands of armor placed against each wall. He shook his head and grabbed a jug and goblet from the table and poured himself a drink of mead. He closed his eyes and murmured a prayer before gulping down the entire contents.

A young woman entered the hall and Theo looked up. Her dark hair was braided down her back and she wore a blue gown that swished as she walked. The room seemed to lighten when she entered. Her eyes were deep green and full of tears. She searched the faces in the room and her eyes settled on Theo. She sat down across from him. She kept her back straight and her head held high and she met his gaze. They watched each other for a long moment before Theo spoke.

“How could you watch it?” he asked.

“I had to. It gave me strength.” She frowned. “Didn’t you?”

“Yes, though I didn’t want to.” He poured himself another drink and offered her one. She shook her head. “What are you going to do now?”

“I’m traveling to Carian Port and joining my sister on her journey east. We’re to end our trip in Galvi.”

“You are running away from your future?”

“No. Merely for protection.”

“I thought you would realize there is nowhere to run. The Wizards of Carlon have chosen to fight with them. The world is practically theirs for the taking.” He dropped his head.

“No,” she whispered. “If the Unm-” she stopped suddenly, straightening her back. “If the Wizards have been converted, then we are doomed.” She paused for a moment.

“But that doesn’t align with their history.”

“There’s much that doesn’t align, Garbi, but what do you mean?”

She was about to speak but was cut off.

“Garbiana!” Ilaron called from the far side of the hall, “I need a word.”

“Why does he still treat me like his little girl?” she asked herself then stood.. “Meet me in the library tomorrow, Theo. Please? I still need to speak with you.”

Theo nodded and he watched her go to her father then they left the hall together. Theo sat alone for awhile, content to wallow in his own thoughts when a young lady walked over to him.

“May I sit with you?” she asked, her voice was soft, almost a whisper. Theo only nodded. She sat next to him, fixing her plain brown dress. Her dark red hair was coiled up on top of her head. Her eyes were a plain brown that gave everything away.

“I don’t know why you keep company with her. She’s abandoning us.” The young lady scowled after Garbiana.

“She won’t be abandoning anyone, Eil. She’s stronger than even she knows and we’ll need strong women if we’re to survive.”

“Will you teach me to fight? All the girls want to. We want to protect ourselves.” Eil put her hand on his arm, pleading with only a touch.

“You should be asking Garbiana. She’d be a better teacher. She’s better than I am.” Theo admired Eil’s strength and knew she’d survive.

“How can she be better than you? You’re an Armsman.” Her voice held an awestruck quality that Theo recognized.

He smiled at her, seeing adoration in her eyes – a look he never knew how to answer. “The Armsmen are only human,” he stated. “Garbi was taught to fight at an age younger than I.” Eil sat back. “I wish the order had been here for the battle, though.” He stopped smiling.

“Why were you not there? Everyone says you were overwhelmed.”

“Six weeks ago we were tricked to go to the mainland, to the mountains in the north. We heard about the deception too late to ride back and assist. Myralia should not have fallen so easily.” He stood and removed his cloak. She studied him in his plain white shirt with a blue tunic over it. The Armsman symbol of a vertical key with no teeth and a handle with an open broken circle cast in silver was pinned over his heart. Theo draped his cloak on the table and sat down again. “I’d love to teach you to fight Eil, but truth is I won’t be here much longer. I’m heading to Calvert in Thelonia to pledge my allegiance along with the other Armsmen.”

She gasped and pulled back, ready to stand. “Pledge to the undoers of our land?” she asked quietly as she stood.

“I was ordered by my commander. Without our order, thousands more could die. Maybe everyone. Do you want that? Now sit down.” He was filled with anguish and ran his hand through his hair. He looked back at her and saw hatred in her eyes. He sighed, and rubbed at his eyes. Many would be disappointed and worse by the Armsmen’s actions.

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