Under twilight’s soft haze, the smoking city of Naru looked like an injured dog licking its wounds. Talis surveyed the damage, staring out over the city from the deck outside his bedroom loft. Smoldering fires here and there, broken towers, cracks in the temple dome, many houses and buildings in ruin. But considering the scope of the attack, the damage was less than he’d expected.
But would they survive the next attack?
He yawned, surprised he’d slept all day after finally crawling to bed early in the morning after the attack. In his hands he held the map case, given to him by the champion in the crypts. He hadn’t dared open the case, instead holding it as if it were a serpent coiled, waiting to strike. As if it might bring ruin to his life. Where would the Surineda Map lead him? An ache in his gut told him it would be far away, far from his home, far from the coming battle with the Jiserian Empire. Would it even make a difference? And could he make it back in time to help?
Talis heard soft footsteps behind him. He tensed, then relaxed as he recognized Mara’s steps.
“You’re getting better, but I still knew it was you.”
“How could you tell?” Mara jumped on his back. “You’re not supposed to hear me, you’re supposed to be surprised.”
“I’m trained to listen to you.” Talis flipped her around, and stopped, gaping at her painted face and tied-up hair. “What happened to you?”
Mara shrugged. “Mother’s determined to marry me off to the duke. Even after we won the Blood Dagger, she’s refused to listen to me. And now she’s insisted I get all done up like this and meet with his parents…”
“But you’re here…aren’t you going to be in trouble?”
“Whatever… I’m not marrying him and I’m not interested in meeting his stupid old parents.”
Talis chuckled. “How did you get away?”
“Now that’s a story. They locked me in the fourth-floor servant quarters.”
“And you escaped out the window and climbed down?”
“I eluded several guardsmen and servants at the front.” Mara’s face turned serious all of a sudden. “But listen, I didn’t come here for fun. You’ve got to go to the Sej Elders with the Surineda Map.”
“I’m not going-”
“Have you even bothered opening it?” She scowled. “You haven’t, have you. Give it to me.”
“No…the champion gave it to me. I should open it.”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
Of course she was right… He looked down at the map and twisted open the latch. Inside, the coiled parchment glowed with a faint golden light. He withdrew the map, feeling a radiant heat slither up his arms, until his entire body became warm. He felt suddenly sleepy and his eyes closed instinctively. In his mind he saw a beautiful, luminescent woman with golden, flowing hair observing him, as if measuring his worth. After she seemed satisfied, she nodded, and disappeared.
“I think I just saw the Goddess of the Sun, the Goddess Nacrea.”
“A vision?”
Talis nodded, and turned his attention to the map, sealed with a waxy stamp, the sun inscribed within. He glanced up at Mara. She nodded, urging him to open it. He broke the seal and the map released a hissing sound like a spitting snake. As he unfurled the map, golden light spilled out from within, revealing the shimmering landmass of the continent Talis was familiar with and other areas unknown: a large snowy island to the north, scattered islands off to the west with one long, spindly island running alongside, and far to the east, beyond the city of Khael, was a lush, tropical island. When he stared at that island, he could feel warm sunlight flowing through his veins. That was it, the island… They had to travel to the island.
Mara seemed to have followed his gaze, for she pointed at the island. “Is that where we’re going?”
“I think so…I feel something strong there. I never knew such islands existed-”
“I’ve seen a map in Master Holoron’s library showing the western islands…but not this one.” Her finger ran along the map, and she winced as if noticing the heat that emanated from within.
“See, I told you. There’s the power of Light Magic within…”
“You have to tell the Elders about the map. Don’t shake your head, you have to do it! Last night was only the first attack…next time will be worse.”
Next time. Talis felt the hairs along the back of his neck prickle. He pictured the dark sorcerers raining fire and lightning bolts down on the city. And that was only an aerial attack. If the Jiserian ground forces came with siege machines, what would be left of their city? Or could the map help them to win?
“Just take the map to them-the Sej Elders will listen-take it at once.” Mara shoved her hands on her hips, as if daring him to think otherwise.
Talis bowed his head, giving in. He had never been to the Sej Elder chambers and wondered what it would be like to finally set foot inside. His father was a leading member of the Elders, but had refused Talis entry until he came of age. He was about to head downstairs when he stopped, realizing the problem. There was no way they’d let him inside. Especially now that the Elders were debating on how to respond to the Jiserian attack.
“Who’s going to listen to us…we’re just kids.” Talis glanced at Mara. “Even if we went, they won’t let us in. It’s forbidden.”
“Find a way around…let’s sneak inside.” Mara’s eyes glittered dangerously.
“The entrance is heavily guarded-by multiple soldiers and wizards and at different levels-especially now we’re at war. And my father isn’t popular these days. His seat at the head of the Elders is at risk. If I did something crazy like trying to break in and see them, he’d be furious.”
“Talk to Master Viridian.”
“He’s in chambers with them also! We should just wait for them outside.”
“Wait? Do you think we have time to wait? This is directly related to the war. Whether we like it or not we’re part of the conflict now. This could mean everything to our struggle!”
“I know, I know. Okay, let’s just go and talk to the guards…”
Two burly guards stood at attention outside the tall gate surrounding the Sej Elders Chambers. More soldiers marched out front. The city was priming itself for war.
“Mind your own business, young master.” The larger guard frowned at Talis as he approached.
“Watch your tongue,” Mara said, and glowered at the guard. “Do you know who you’re speaking to?”
“A young whelp and his sassy lassie.” The guard laughed stupidly with his fellow.
“You happen to be speaking to Talis Storm, son of Master Garen Storm.” Mara whistled like the guard was in trouble. “Didn’t plan on that, did you? Are you okay? Your face seems pale suddenly. Now be a good guard and go fetch us the runner, we demand an audience with the Elders.”
“Demand an audience?” the other guard said, “aren’t you a little tart. Even if he is who you say he is, I can plainly see he’s still a young master, not reached his time yet. If he wants to see his daddy, tell him to wait until supper!” With that, both guards slapped their thighs, as if amused greatly by some wonderful joke.
“This is urgent…you do remember we’ve been attacked? He’s carrying something very important that the Elders need to see-”
“Just hand it here, I’ll see they get it.”
“In person.” Talis scowled. “I need to deliver it to the Elders in person.”
“Need to deliver what?” Master Jai said, a teacher at the Order of the Dawn. He pulled a black cowl off his head and sauntered over to them.
“Can you vouch for these two?” the guard said.
Master Jai waved them away. “Of course, can’t you see the boy’s signet ring? Fools. Now what do you need to deliver to your father? Speak.”
“I carry a sacred map-of utmost importance to our struggle-given to me… I cannot speak more now, it must be spoken only to the Elders.”
“Then come inside now.” He looked at Mara. “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait outside. Your parents would be furious seeing you associating with young Talis. I cannot get involved in Royal House politics.”
Mara was about to speak when Master Jai raised a finger, as if ending all conversion. He motioned Talis through the gates and led him inside. Talis glanced back at Mara. She had already turned and was stomping sullenly away.
The entrance to the chambers wasn’t like he’d expected. A worn sandstone archway and a rough oak door supported by iron slats. Inside, the damp air smelled of mold and rot. A runner greeted them, carrying a lantern as he led them further inside. They marched down a long, dark corridor then followed stone steps sinking deeper. Wavering shadows bounced along the glistening ceiling. Talis could feel his skin flush, hot with anticipation for how his father might react.
The runner rapt three times on a heavy, oaken door. Another guard opened it and peered through. He waved them inside once he recognized Master Jai. Four more guards stood at attention along a waiting corridor, glancing suspiciously at Talis. Once Master Jai had set his hand on Talis’s shoulder, leading him on, they looked away. Finally, the runner opened a set of doors, crafted of intricately carved mahogany. He called out in a nasally, high-pitched voice.
“Announcing Master Jai Nomellius, and young Talis Storm.”
Talis’s heart dropped as he glimpsed his father sitting at the head of an enormous table surrounded by the other thirteen Elders. Hundreds of candles lined the stone walls, casting inky, flickering shadows on their faces. Grave expressions, as if they’d been told of a loved one’s death. They were staring at Talis like they were irritated he was here. His father glared at him. Talis felt he’d made a mistake coming here.
“Master Jai, what’s the nature of this? Why have you brought my son here?” Garen Storm rubbed his shoulder.
The door slammed shut behind them and a soldier bolted the door. Talis felt trapped, deep in this underground maze. He noticed four champions standing uneasily in each corner of the room, gazing at him as if taking in a new threat.
“Your son holds something in his hands, something he claims only the Elders can see.”
“What is that…a map case?” Elder Vellar Lei, Mara’s father, leaned forward, his beady, sunken eyes staring at the map. His wrinkled lips moved as if chewing on his own tongue.
Talis cleared his parched throat, and withered from all the intense stares.
“Speak up, boy.” His father scowled.
“Last night we were attacked-”
“What’s inside the map case?” Elder Vellar boomed, “we don’t have time for stories.”
“Let the boy talk.” Master Viridian stood. “I sense something powerful in his hands.”
“As I was saying, last night…on the temple walls, we were attacked. M-” Talis stopped himself from saying Mara’s name. “Attacked by sorcerers, one came directly at me, chasing us to the Crypts.”
“The Crypts? Whatever for?” Elder Vellar said.
“For the last time, let him speak!”
Talis glanced nervously around. “Trapped we were…in the Crypts…two sorcerers. One tried to take me through a portal. I thought I was doomed. Mara”-Talis coughed, latching eyes with Elder Vellar’s cold stare-“she prayed to the Goddess Nestria…and the Goddess heard her cry. A fallen champion, Master Baribariso, rose to slay the sorcerer.”
“ The Legendary Master Baribariso who rests in the Crypts?” Master Holoron said, his head shaking.
“No longer. He slumbers in the Crypts no more. He is gone to the Immortals…” Talis stared at Holoron, and flicked his hand towards the sky. “Here, I hold his gift…before the champion left, he gave me this, saying the Goddess Nestria hid this for a time like this, a time where the world needs the power of the Goddess Nacrea.”
“The Surineda Map!” Holoron said, rising to his feet. “Is it true?”
Talis nodded and sighed. He held out the map case and twisted open the latch. The Elders gasped as Talis unrolled the map, and displayed it to them all. In that instant, the candles were extinguished and the map shone in the darkness. He experienced a wave of dizziness as the map blazed, flickering fragments of the Goddess’s face, an island forgotten by time, forgotten by civilization, a wrinkled face veiled by smoldering fumes, a broken city nestled in a graveyard.
A snapped finger, flame returned to the candles, a deathly pallor on the Elder’s faces. They had seen it too. The vision.
“Behold!” Master Viridian said, “the Surineda Map. Spoken of in legend, and here before us now. Given by the Goddess for the time when needed most.”
“I saw the Goddess Nacrea!” shouted an Elder.
“An island.”
“The city covered in ash, the temple shattered and in ruins-”
“No the temple stands! I saw it!” shouted another. “You saw the old temple. I saw the true one, in a grove, hidden away. The doorway to it…unseen.”
Master Viridian raised his arms, standing. “Now, now, quiet now. We all saw different visions, that is clear enough. For each the Goddess Nestria chose to reveal a different vision. What is certain is the map is true. We must obey its commands.” He stared at Talis, as if expecting him to continue.
“The champion of Naru, Master Baribariso, told me I must leave Naru and follow the map.”
“You? You are but a boy. Why would the Goddess choose you?” Master Vellar scoffed.
“He’s my boy! Refrain from insulting him.” Garen Storm rose to his feet, towering over Master Vellar. “The gods have spoken to us. If we listen and obey we’ll live and thrive and survive this abominable war with the Jiserians. If we deny them-as a fool would-we deny ourselves. Well, Elders? What say you?”
Regent Balmarr Merillia, King of Naru, shadow Elder at the table, stood finally, raising a white-gloved hand. “We’ll assemble a force, a force greater than anyone has ever seen, and task this force with delivering this boy to the destination the map leads. We’ll spare no gold, charge the best in our land with success, swordsmen, pikemen, rangers-be a foe to our enemies and those that dare stand in the way. We will succeed! The gods have spoken. They stand on our side.”
Master Vellar snorted. “Have you forgotten about the Jiserians, Regent Merillia? Send this force out to the ends of the earth, while they ravage our homeland?”
“We can spare a party of swordsmen to protect the expedition,” said Garen Storm. “From each of the Royal Houses.” He glanced shrewdly around the table.
“Then it’s settled,” Regent Merillia said, and faced Talis. “Leave us now-to settle the details. Time is of utmost importance. I say the party must leave before daybreak tomorrow.”
The other Elders voiced “ayes” in agreement. Talis bowed, and shuffled out of the chambers. Leave Naru tomorrow? Leave his home and family, perhaps never returning…tomorrow?