How monotonous, to constantly say the same thing. This is the ongoing sequel to Dark Wishes, both copyrighted under Nifty and International Common Law.
Unspoken Wishes
M.C. Gordon
Part One: Markel
Chapter Four
Iashain had been industrious during his short time in the mortal world. He located a portion of the old fortress castle that remained partially intact, a corner of the old kitchen. He tested his magic by using it to remove portions of the fallen walls and arranging them to create a windbreak on the northern side of the room. Not wanting to tax his magic further, he located clover and sweet grasses under the snow and covered the floor with them. Dried grasses were blown against the southern wall and he placed a portion of them in the hearth. A simple wish brought forth a comforting fire that would last for days if he so desired.
He knew that Tynan would eventually return to the old site of Qell power and decided to bide his time searching through the ruins for anything that would kindle memories of the ancient lords. As he stood among some of the fallen stones he could sense powerful magic, lingering after eons of time. Closing his eyes, he could see the ancient Qell as they leaned against a fireplace or laughed at a whispered word from one who was greatly loved.
Apart from the main castle was another building, also in ruin. He sensed that this had once been a place of great power and learning. Calling forth memories that were his, and yet not his, he knew that this had once been the great, unrivaled archive of Aolane.
A large covey of quail launched themselves in fear when he trod on a twig and it snapped loudly beneath his foot. Iashain took quick count of their number, noting how many were female, and decided there were enough quail that one or two could spared for a meal. The existence of one covey meant there were others. Likewise, along the eastern most fallen wall he discovered a rabbit warren. Knowing the rate at which the animals multiplied he knew that he and his brother Qell would have enough meat, if they were frugal, to carry them through the winter.
The great herb gardens of the ancient cooks still existed, although they were in sad need of drastic pruning. Iashain pinched off only enough rosemary to season the two male conies he had chosen for the evening meal, leaving the rest to be tended when the winter would come to an end.
. . .
Tynan woke early the next morning. Iashain's fire still warmed the small shelter and Tynan found an old pot, still useable, and put snow in it to melt. When the snow had turned to water he added shredded bits of tree bark and began to brew a strong drink that would sharpen the senses. It would be sufficient, but bitter, and he wondered if the tea bushes of Endril still survived. He thought he would probably prefer a cup of hot tea in the early mornings.
When the brew was prepared he crossed the small room to waken his companions. He chuckled to himself when he realized that Markel was almost buried beneath Iashain's body ... only the top of his wild red hair visible. Iashain's long black hair covered the young man's face and upper body, their legs apparently twined together.
"Rise, brother," he called to Iashain.
The Qell slowly rolled to his back and stretched.
The sky had cleared during the night and rays from the early morning sun caught the violet-blue cast of great silver eyes as they opened. Iashain threw back the cloak which had served as a blanket the night before, revealing the nudity of himself and the young man beside him. He rose gracefully from his bed on the grass covered floor and began to dress in breeches and tunic. Markel, still sleeping, protested the loss of warmth and Iashain quickly placed the cloak across his body.
"I see you both survived the night," Tynan said as he poured Iashain a cup of bitter brew.
"Meaning we did not freeze to death?" Iashain responded with one black eyebrow arched.
"Meaning that I had to put my fingers in my ears," Tynan answered. "I am sure that any living souls in all of Elanen were aware of what passed between the two of you."
Iashain laughed in response. "What do I care what all of Elanen thinks?" he responded. "It is time they knew the Qell have returned. And I am thinking that they will need more than fingers in their ears when you find the one you will take as lover, my brother."
"Heed my words," Tynan said, "Markel has a gentle heart which can be easily hurt. He is also quick of mind and eager to learn and serve. I will cut your throat myself if you cause him pain."
"Put your blade away," Iashain said although Tynan had no weapon at hand. "It was not alone Markel's body that brought me joy last night. I am aware of his mind and soul. I sense in him the same spirit that resided in the ancient lovers. I choose him as my lover until such time when he may tire of me. Always will I give him what love I can, treat him with greatest respect, and hold him above any who may follow him."
Tynan accepted the statement for he felt the depth of his brother lord's emotion and honesty. Markel was beginning to show signs of wakening so Tynan turned to Iashain and said, "I must go and tend to the horses," leaving the two alone in the light of day following the first night of passion either of them had known.
. . .
"Where must we begin?" Tynan asked Markel as they sat that afternoon enjoying the quail Iashain had roasted on a spit in the old fireplace. "So much has been lost through time."
"Not alone was time to blame," Markel said as he remembered the tales of the old forest grandmothers. "The weather turned ill for many centuries and there were times of drought and famine. Floods destroyed croplands. There were years when the summers did not melt the ice and snow. Plagues swept across the kingdoms and the healers could do nothing as thousands died. Kingdoms fought against each other for what bit of nurturing land could be found. Game animals were hunted to extinction or began to hide where men could not find them. Fewer children were born, and many did not survive infancy because of illness or deformation."
"Then our first task is to take an accounting of the population of Elanen, human and animal," Tynan said. "We must seek out small habitations and let them know that we have returned to aid them. It is imperative that we locate all of the seed corn that remains and take it under our own control. The land around Aolane was once fertile and should be so now after lying fallow for so many years."
"And if the people object?" Iashain asked.
"The deepest dungeons of Aolane once contained treasure amassed by the ancient Qell over eight hundred years," Tynan responded. "Trelaine never passed that knowledge on before he returned from the world of mankind. Our combined magic should be able to locate that ancient King treasure. We will pay for the seed corn and grain."
"And of what good is gold or jewels to a starving family if you take their grain?" Markel timidly asked.
"One man may have a small herd of goats and agree to sell one for a piece of gold. With that coin he can purchase a blanket of wool from a man who has a sheep." Tynan responded.
"And," Iashain added, "once the grain comes to harvest it will be given out freely to all. Each small village will be represented at the harvest to claim what is due."
. . .
Through the days and nights of the winter they talked and made their plans. Elanen must be fed. Occupation must be found that would result in gain of coin or barter. Tynan spoke with Perinel and gained agreement from the stallion that his harem would provide strong colts to pull the plows of man through the grain fields if the Qell would once again train others to carry warriors, if needed, for it was their heritage and that for which they had been bred.
"Can you read?" Iashain suddenly asked Markel one night after they had spent their passion.
"Can I do what?"
"Read. Look at words and know what they mean?"
"I know the legends my grandmothers told me," Markel replied, "but I have never seen words. Should I know this? Is it magic?"
"Nay, love," Iashain said. "It is knowledge, not magic. To read is to be able to know every thought that was ever put down in word. This place was once the center of all knowledge. Great works of mathematics and philosophy once existed here. Every illness known was documented, along with the means to treat them. If a man or woman took flight of imagination and thought to put it into word, it was found here in Aolane. Music once filled these ruined halls."
"I am sorry that I cannot read," Markel said as he began to sob for his lack of knowledge.
"Do not cry, my beloved," Iashain said soothingly. "The fault is not yours if such knowledge no longer exists. Through the rest of the winter, until Tynan and I can begin to heal Elanen, I will teach you to read."
"You will have to write something for him to read," Tynan remarked. "I have not found one piece of written word within these remains."
"But you have," Iashain replied, "for the courtyard contains six names inscribed in stone."
To be continued.
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