“I have decided that the council is far too limited in its scope. I have been branching out a bit. I feel that we should not shun the lesser races of Tuwa like we have done for centuries now. We do not have control over them as we once did-”
“We never controlled them! What you are referring to was different than what I believe you are doing now. We counseled them and taught them; we never ruled them.”
“I do not see the distinction. We taught them what we wanted them to know. Knowledge is power, and we used it to control what went on in Tuwa a thousand years ago. The result of our interference was millennia of peace and prosperity for the peoples of the middle land. However, in our absence, the races have evolved to a point where they pose a great threat to one another again and the land itself is in danger. Can you not feel it?”
“I do sense uneasiness within the earth and within the races of Tuwa. I fear that war is about to break out once again. But, I do not believe that it is our place to become involved unless the elements are in extreme danger.”
“An isolationist ’til the last. So be it.” Kana motioned with her left hand to someone or something behind Keb.
“What are you doing?” He did not like where this was going. Has she allied herself with the evil creatures that live within this wicked mountain? If so, what are they planning to do to me? They cannot kill me or do any lasting harm, so what is Kana playing at?
“I am planning on torturing you for information, my weak friend. Why else do you think I returned? I left you here so that you would not interfere any further with my plans, but it seems that you have continued to disrupt my plans even though you have not left this place. How have you done this?”
“What are you talking about? I have not left here. You made sure of that.”
“Then how have my enemies discovered my plans before they were fully implemented? Did you communicate with your old friend Neb somehow? Did you tell him about my plans?”
“I have no clue what is going on outside this accursed mountain. What are you up to really?”
“I told you…there is need for intervention like before and I am doing it again. However, our dear leader does not want to get involved in the affairs of lesser people, so I have taken it on myself to act for the council.” She looked at him skeptically as she hovered above him. I do not believe that he did not pass information to one of the council.
“How are you intervening?” Keb had a sense of dread coming over him as he looked up at his former friend.
“I am merely restoring the proper balance that existed before we got involved the last time.”
“But that would mean you are helping the orcs and goblins.”
“Do not forget the rock trolls. They were on the receiving end the last time as well. However, this time I have even persuaded a few of the elves to join my side so that they would be preserved. This time men and dwarves will perish just like the Eldar and other lesser races did a thousand years ago.” Her features turned rather ugly as she looked him straight in the eyes. She began to emit the same fowl stench as the wraiths swarming around them.
“Your ways have become evil; that much is clear. Like all things wicked, you too will end up all alone. Your undoing will be the treacherous friends you are making. They will not support you longer than what it will take to get what they want. What makes you think that the orcs, goblins, rock trolls, and elves will continue to follow you if you succeed in usurping power?” He smiled at the look of disgust on Kana’s face after he had said this.
“You know nothing of true power! You were always too weak because of your peace-loving attitude. Your undoing will be your faith in those divided races uniting to fight against my vast armies. You will find that your trust is sadly misplaced, and your folly will be revealed in due time.”
“Go ahead and do what you will to me because it will do you no good. I know nothing that will aid your cause against the peoples of Tuwa. Go; wage your unholy war and leave me be.” He was being rather recalcitrant toward his captor and did not seem to care what she did to him. After all, she cannot kill me. Can she? She knows that I cannot die. Only the guardian would know if that were even possible.
Kana stuck out both of her hands dramatically and said, “Erome!” Lord Keb turned into a pile of dirt. The wicked mistress laughed raucously at her captive as he obeyed her command. She had truly mastered the command of elements outside her stewardship. Keb could not believe that she was able to make him transform. What was even more disconcerting was the fact he could not change back. What evil magic is this?
“Woorgal!” bellowed Kana wickedly. Keb turned into a piece of wood and found that he could still not change to any other form. He was at her command now, and there appeared to be nothing he could do to fight it. He knew that he must now focus his efforts on protecting the secrets he kept for the guardian. If Kana found out some of them, the entire world would be in danger. He turned his entire attention inward while trying to mask his internal action from his vile captor.
“Flymare!” screamed Kana. Fire engulfed the beleaguered Lord Keb. It took everything he had to protect his thoughts from his captor. He knew that if he did not, thousands would suffer and die. The council would be irreparably broken if he was not successful.
“I am going to leave you now so that you can think about whether you help me willingly or if I have to become real nasty,” Kana said maniacally. “I will not be gone long. I leave you in the care of some of my new friends.”
Immediately the wraiths dove in and out of the burning wood that was Keb. He shrieked because of the pain and the horror that was building in him. He did not know how much longer he could take this form of torture. He again focused his energy on protecting the secrets that the guardian had given to him. He would not fail his leader by giving in to this vile apparition that was once a fair goddess.
Kana began to rise slowly from the orgy of wraiths and turned her head toward the exit. She knew that she had probably wasted her time with Keb, but now she knew that he did not know anything. He would also be unable to interfere with her plans, so now she was free to go and help her armies. She would lead them to decisive victories over men, dwarves, and elves. After she had eliminated the unworthy creatures, she would deal with the stupid giants. She did not know yet why they had joined the fray, and she would regret underestimating their importance. She was also gravely mistaken to not realize that the other guardians were about once again in the land of Tuwa. They would get involved at some point, and this would force her to stand and fight or she would have to leave those she had rallied to her cause. She would have to go into hiding for a long time if her plans failed.
The Refusal
King Edric Nognili sat quietly upon his gem-encrusted throne pondering the messages he had received from his scouts. He did not know if it was a wise decision to side with General Yukio and the people of Nairi so quickly. He had also received information that an innumerable goblin army had combined with rock trolls and were laying siege to Mount Carrick in the south. There seemed to be war all around him, but he did not know if it would be prudent to get involved. His first obligation was to his people, and they had become very prosperous over the years under his rule because he did not involve them in other nations’ affairs. His beautiful crown glinted from the sunlight that was allowed in through a class dome at the top of the throne room. There were gems of all colors encased in silver and gold in the king’s circlet. At the very front of it was a depiction of his mountain fortress situated on the north slope of Mount Ennis. The mountain itself was an island in the middle of a vast lake that had unknown depths and dangers in it. The king felt safe behind this watery deterrent and did not think it was beneficial to venture out of his stronghold to help others. Many would die in the effort, and his kingdom’s defenses would be weakened.