“The Qubari have remained faithful to Kaltara,” nodded Rejji. “I cannot refuse the request. I leave it up to you to make sure that the binding of the two peoples remains in place.”
“I shall see to it,” nodded the Qubari chief. “Who knows when having men in the jungle may help us in the coming struggle?”
* * *
Upon his return to Morada, Tamar saw his father and several other elders sitting in a park. He turned from his path and joined the group.
“It makes absolutely no sense to me,” complained Vitalora. “The scrolls are clear about it. This is definitely the Time of Calling. There can be no doubt about that. How can she ignore it?”
“Queen Alycia can act how she wishes,” shrugged Volox. “The Council of Elders is advisory only. We cannot force her to do what is right.”
“What has happened?” asked Tamar.
“The ancient scrolls state that the awakening of Angragar will happen in the Time of Calling,” explained Tamar’s father. “At that time, the elves are commanded to rejoin with their human brethren, but Queen Alycia refuses. She will not allow even cursory contact with the humans.”
“She has always been steadfast against contact with humans,” shrugged Tamar. “Why do you expect her to change now?”
“She has not always been this way,” retorted Vitalora. “It is only since the loss of the king that she has been so set in her ways.”
“The humans killed the king,” interjected another elder. “How can you blame her for hating them?”
“I am not trying to blame her for anything,” sighed Vitalora. “I feel her pain over that tragic incident. No woman should have to endure such pain, but she is our queen, not just any woman. She has a duty to lead the elven people as best she can. She cannot ignore the Prophecies of Kieran.”
“And what do you propose to do about it?” asked Amber. “She is under no legal obligation to believe in the Prophecies of Kieran. Were those prophecies codified into law, then you would have a point, but they were not.”
“But clearly we all believe in them?” retorted Vitalora. “Kieran was the greatest mage in history. His ascension to the throne of Elvangar started a dynasty that has lasted thousands of years. How can his most crucial writings be ignored?”
“They are not law,” shrugged Amber. “She is a Kieran, and you are not. That makes the prophecies more hers than yours. She can believe them or not as she sees fit.”
“Yes, she is a Kieran,” scowled Vitalora, “as are others in this land. Maybe the throne belongs to one who is not Kieran. At least then we could follow Kaltara’s will.”
“There are many Kierans in Elvangar,” interjected Tamar. “Even the foreign girls are descendents of Kieran. I don’t think lineage is the question here. I think the queen just needs to see the importance of the scrolls. Perhaps we should take them to her.”
“How?” snapped Vitalora. “She no longer gives audiences to just anyone. Any audience must be approved by Malid, and he is not about to allow it.”
“Why wouldn’t he?” asked Volox. “I know that he does not entirely agree with us on this matter, but Malid has always been fair in carrying out the duties of the Head Elder. We should ask him. Amber, you know him best. Would you arrange it?”
“I think it best that those who feel strongest should address it,” refused Amber. “I will find Malid and tell him that you wish to talk to him. That is all that I will do.”
Amber turned and strode out of the park. The other elders continued to discuss the problem. Volox pulled Tamar away from the others.
“I know that you see the queen frequently,” Volox said softly. “Would it be possible for you to feel out the queen on this matter?”
“I can try,” sighed Tamar. “Actually I missed a meeting with her today because I took the boys out to the village. She is likely to be angry with me. Maybe if I waited a day or two before bringing it up?”
“That will be fine,” nodded Volox. “We will try going through Malid first, but I fear that will fail.”
“But you just said that it would work,” Tamar replied with confusion. “Why such a sudden change?”
“The way Amber reacted has me puzzled,” confessed Volox. “When I asked him to approach Malid, I expected an immediate agreement, yet Amber acted as if I had struck him across the face. Something is going on here that I do not understand.”
“Something devious?” asked Tamar.
“I do not know,” admitted Volox. “Malid and Amber were the two dissenters on this issue before the Council, yet Amber chose to discuss it with us today in a congenial atmosphere. Why then would he suddenly change his attitude and run away? It makes no sense to me.”
“Unless Amber’s presence was for a purpose different than everyone else’s,” posed Tamar. “Were I you, I would be cautious with what I said in his presence until I learned more about what is happening.”
“Your advice is sound,” nodded Volox. “I think it is time for me to go and eat anyway. Will you join me and your mother tonight?”
“I would love to,” Tamar shook his head as the other elders began to disperse, “but I have been negligent in my duties today. There is much work waiting for me back at the office. I will come by tomorrow night.”
Volox smiled and embraced his son. Tamar watched his father leave the park and then turned and headed along a city street. He stepped into an inn and ordered a simple meal. He finished it quickly and went on his way.
As Tamar entered the courtyard of the fort he saw a dozen soldiers hurrying out. He paid no particular attention to the detail and made his way to his office. There on his desk was a pile of papers awaiting his attention. He sighed heavily and began going through them. After an hour spent reviewing the papers, Tamar pushed his chair back and rose. As he left the office he saw a small group of officers at the end of the hall. They were talking softly, but excitedly. His mind filled with curiosity as he slowly approached the group.
“What is happening?” asked Tamar.
“You haven’t heard?” retorted one of the officers. “An elder was arrested for treason tonight.”
“Treason?” echoed Tamar. “What elder would be foolish enough to spout treason?”
“It was Vitalora,” replied the officer.
“When did this happen?” asked Tamar. “What did Vitalora say that was treasonous?”
“It was about an hour ago,” answered the officer. “Vitalora stood in a park right here in the city and proclaimed that a Kieran should not sit on the throne of Elvangar. He was planning a rebellion. Can you imagine that? One of our own elders plotting an overthrow of Queen Alycia.”
“No, I can’t imagine that,” frowned Tamar. “If you will excuse me?”
Tamar’s mind raced with fear, but he controlled his outward appearance. He left the fort and subconsciously checked behind him as he entered an alley. The hair stood up on the nape of his neck as he saw someone duck around the corner behind him. Tamar’s mind immediately switched to military mode. He mentally marked the person following him as an enemy and employed his training to lose the tail.
Tamar took an overly circuitous route, which involved a number of sharp turns that afforded him with an excellent view of his backtrack. Only when he was positively sure that he had lost his follower, did he approach his father’s house. Instead of using the platform, Tamar climbed the tree and remained low to the platform when he knocked on the door. Volox answered the knock and peered into the dark questioningly. He only looked down when Tamar hopped through the doorway.
“What are you doing down there?” asked Volox as he shut the door.
“Hiding from whoever is following me,” explained Tamar as he rose. “Something is going very wrong in this city. I think you should resign from the Council. Retire and go live in a village.”
“What are you talking about?” asked Volox. “Have you gone mad?”
“Perhaps,” sighed Tamar, “but they arrested Vitalora tonight.”