Emerali: A War Song Tapestry

Chapter 7

Back at Eltnen Fortress, the three warriors sought healing and refreshment. Qelin was likewise taken to a healer, but kept under close watch until he could be interviewed.

Now healed and renewed, Emerali, Devaen and Thori entered the chamber where he was being held. Tension was still present among them from their previous conflict back at Kyola Temple, but at present there were more important things to be concerned with.

"Where's Ansted?" Qelin demanded the moment he saw them. "Is he okay?" He fixed a wide-eyed, inquiring gaze on his three rescuers.

"Thank Aion, he'll be just fine," Thori told him.

Qelin sighed with relief. "Praises to Lady Yustiel." He looked up at Emerali and Devaen with a small, sad smile. "By the Five, it is good to see you both," he said.

"I'd like to say the same, Qelin, but the word 'traitor' associated with your name quells that emotion somewhat. You admitted to the charge at the Temple, now tell us why," Devaen told him gravely.

Qelin bowed his head. "Because I knew... I knew."

"Knew what?" demanded Emerali.

"I knew that General Bakren would betray us all."

Devaen went livid, Thori gaped slightly, and Emerali gasped quietly.

Qelin continued: "It was the night before the planned attack in Reshanta. We were encamped in Heiron so as to be ready to enter the portal before sunrise. I had just been relieved of sentry duty for the night, and I was on my way to my tent when I caught sight of a robed figure making its way toward the general's pavilion.

"Immediately I took out my weapon and started following this person; I imagined that perhaps they were intending an attack on General Bakren. But though the mysterious stranger moved stealthily, they seemed as though they were seeking an audience with him. A light still burned in General Bakren's pavilion; I could see the silhouettes clearly. The stranger entered, and General Bakren looked up and greeted her-yes, it was a woman. They started talking, but though I hid and strained to hear what they said, I could only make out fragments of the conversation.

"General Bakren inquired something of the woman and she responded: 'All is ready, as you requested. Are you certain you're prepared to take this step?' I heard the general laugh and say: 'You may count me as one of your own.' The conversation continued, but they dropped their voices so low, I couldn't hear anything else. A few minutes later, the woman departed, went her way, and General Bakren turned out his light. Questions flew through my mind, but I didn't know what to make of it.

"The next morning, I vowed to ask the general about what went on, but I hardly dared. How could I put the question to him? But he seemed different today, charged with energy as if Aether flowed through his very veins. Something in his eyes warned me that if I asked anything too involved, he would take some action against me. Still, I ventured to inquire if he was well, since he looked somewhat out of himself. He only laughed heartily, slapped me on the back and told me that today was the dawning of a new day in Atreia. That was when I knew for certain something grave was coming. And it did."

Devaen, whose face had gone almost ashen, made a sudden rush at Qelin, seizing him by his shirt and shaking him with the force of his hold. "Damn you, Qelin! You knew something was coming--you could've stopped that tragedy. All you had to do was open your mouth. Why?! Why didn't you say something?!"

Qelin looked into Devaen's fiery gaze and stammered. "Who would've believed me? He was the general. I'd have started a one-man mutiny... what could I do?"

Growling, Devaen pulled back his arm to strike Qelin, but Emerali and Thori rushed to stop him with a flurry of exclamations.

"Let me go!" Devaen thundered. "I won't strike him, but not because you ask it of me. I won't because, as a deserter, I'm no better than him." He released Qelin with a hard shove and turned his back on them all, breathing heavily, trying to control his rage.