The Sage Seed Chronicles: The Unraveling (29 page)

Would start a little tiff.

So listen with your hearts,

To what the Ancients say.

Do not believe in witches and

Much happier you‘ll stay.

After the performance Gyan approached the
group. He shook hands with all of the children. They had done a
very good job and were so delighted with their accomplishment that
they were bouncing. The minstrel dismissed them to run outside and
to burn off their excess enthusiasm.

She was young, probably less than her
thirtieth year, with long straight black hair and was putting her
small harp in it’s protective case when Gyan walked up to her. She
looked up at him with almond shaped eyes that tilted up at the
outer corners. As she stood, with her harp over her shoulder, she
held out her hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Zoi. I
have been working with the children of Sherroton while their
regular minstrel recovers from a bad case of food poisoning. The
pests in the grain. Anyway, the guild felt that their studies
should not be neglected and I was sent to fill in for awhile.” His
pendant also said that she was a latent sage. Gyan smiled.

“You have done a nice job with the children.
They seem to take to the songs. I admire the role the minstrels
play in giving our children the foundation they need. What your
guild does forms the bedrock of their lives that their later
apprenticeships and guild skills can build on. It is unfortunate
that some areas of the realm didn’t have that strong
under-structure and were susceptible to the eroding nature of
Bure’s influence. It is a deplorable fact that some individuals
never absorb your guild’s teaching. I thank you for your songs. I
assume that you are passing them to others in your guild?”

“I’m flattered that you like them. I didn’t
have the luxury of time to polish the pieces, but will be sending
them to other minstrels. The children were thrilled with the
opportunity to perform for you.”

Gyan smiled in appreciation. “This is the
last of the founder cities we have visited and the first time we
were treated to a concert. I would like to introduce you to my
companions. They are serving as my council on this trip and I
esteem them highly.” He took her arm to guide her toward the
approaching Erin and Drune.

Zoi looked up at Gyan and whispered, “Are
they sages too?”

He grinned before he put his finger to his
lips. “Shh. Don’t tell, but yes they are.”

He was laughing in delight, as his traveling
companions stopped in front of him. Erin looked into Gyan’s
laughing face then turned her attention to the young woman who was
the cause of her pendant getting warm. “This is Zoi and she is
filling in for Sherroton’s regular minstrel who is recovering from
food poisoning.”

Drune, having picked up on the emotions of
his two sage friends, said to Zoi. “Where do you usually live when
you are not filling in here?”

“Oh, I live nearby in a little cabin east of
here. Mayor Cheroan had Ru’s old cabin totally rebuilt. He said he
wanted the bad harmonics out, for the wind to blow them away.” She
grinned. “I don’t know if it works that way but it is a very
pleasant place now. I am a senior minstrel apprentice for Sherroton
and Terresville.”

Erin smiled. “My name is Erin and this is
Drune.”

Zoi’s eyes got wide. “You’re Erin? You must
know that minstrels hear everything! Outside of the three city
officials we are the ones who disseminate the news. I am pleased to
meet you! Are your companions with you? I would love to meet
them!”

Erin grinned and shot a quick look at Gyan.
“Tempo is somewhere near the barn. With all of the negativity he is
being careful these days. If we walk toward the stable and beyond
I’m sure I could get him to come out and get acquainted with you.
Keir is around also. If you would like, perhaps you could help me
check Nuit’s healing injury after supper tonight.”

“Drune, I didn’t mean to ignore you.” she
said with a smile. “I had heard you had been killed then that you
were alive and present when Bure was captured. It is really
wonderful to meet you all.” He grinned. He didn’t feel slighted. It
was charming to see her excitement at the chance to meet Erin’s
friends. The three walked toward the trees at the west edge of the
city. There were some benches set up for the citizens’ leisure.
Right now they were deserted.

Erin mentally called ‘Keir, Tempo, are you
available to meet a minstrel who has heard all about you? She is a
fan and a latent sage.’ As they passed the stable and were almost
to the benches, Tempo came running out to greet them. Keir flew
through the branches of the trees and landed on Erin’s
shoulder.

Gyan had Drune and Erin sit on one bench as
he and Zoi were on the next, facing them. That way she could
comfortably meet Tempo and Keir. Bast had followed at a distance to
ensure their safety and privacy. After the enthusiastic
introductions had settled down, Gyan spoke. “Zoi, what do you know
about sages and the current situation?” Tempo was sitting at Erin’s
feet and Keir was on a low branch watching.

She thought a moment. “I probably know more
than I should and definitely know more than many. But I abide by
the strict rules of my guild. I understand and respect your
secrets. I know about the birth spacing for sages that the ancients
set up and your link to Ose. I know that the four men of Bure’s
family have jeopardized us all and that you are doing what you can
to set things to rights.”

Gyan asked, “Do you know about latent
sages?”

Her eyes opened wide and her brows went up.
“There are latents? I am not sure how that would work but would the
planet recognize them?” “The planet won’t recognize a latent sage,
only an active sage. But the ancients have given us the ability to
find the latents and to activate them. Zoi, you are a latent
sage.”

The silence following that statement was so
complete that they could hear the dragonfly that flew too close to
Keir and the snap of his beak.

Tempo looked around at Erin questioningly. ‘I
think we shocked her, little one. I sense confusion and some fear.’
Tempo stood on his hind legs and put his front paws on Zoi’s knee,
looking up into her face. The young woman reached out and stroked
Tempo’s head.

“To become a Timeless One. I can’t make a
decision this big.” Zoi whispered.

Drune spoke softly, “It is a big decision. We
became, but it’s different for you. I must ask you though. If not
you, then who?”

She shook her head. “I can’t. I won’t make
the decision.”

Erin looked at her solemnly. “Zoi, what is
causing you to panic? Take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Push aside your fear. It’s not serving you well. No one is forcing
you.” She got up from the bench. “Zoi, there is something I learned
when I was younger, to my regret. By opting to not make a decision,
you have indeed made a decision. It is choosing by default. You
have more courage than that. We will respect whatever conclusion
you come to.”

Erin started to walk away as Gyan and Drune
stood and turned to follow her. Zoi looked down at Tempo’s black
eyes and stripped face then up at the girl walking away. “You’re
right. It was panic. All at once it seemed overwhelming to have
centuries of time to live and to lose loved ones again and again.
But to think of the benefits, of the good that I can do. Maybe I
will even learn to write songs easily instead of agonizing over
every word. Perhaps my skills will allow me to be able to talk to
Tempo and Keir on my own. My panic was fear of the unknown. I want
to help the realm and be a sage. Please. I want to be a sage. I’m
sure.”

Everyone returned and sat down. Gyan put a
hand on the girls shoulder. “Are you sure?” He sensed her
confidence returning.

Zoi smiled. “A momentary lapse. Erin was
absolutely correct. I do have more courage than hiding behind the
world that I know. Change happens. There is no way to stop it. This
is a big change and I can be a deeper part of my home. She gave
everybody a big smile.” Drune put his palms on her wrists and Erin
placed her hand on his shoulder. Tempo sat back and waited. Within
a minute Erin and Gyan felt their pendants pulse warmly.

Gyan looked at the newest sage and said.
“Welcome. There is one more thing. Each of us carries something
that helps our link with Ose. We call them enhancers.” Drune opened
the bag that he still carried and placed five pieces on the bench
beside her.

Zoi looked at Erin for clarification. “Look
over the pieces. One or more will resonate with you. The others may
be pretty but you won’t have any special draw to them. We’ll give
you some quiet to make your choices. Erin went over to see Keir and
Drune and Gyan stepped aside while Zoi considered.

A minute later she called them back. Erin
could tell by the joy that suffused her face that she was entirely
settled into her decision and the enhancers had made a real
connection with her. Gyan looked at her choices. “These are perfect
for you! This is jade and I believe the symbol is the one that Lor
was talking about. It is a Shou motif for Longevity. This next is a
small piece of turquoise with a crane carved on it.
Delightful!”

Zoi was beaming. She seemed to come back to
earth then said. “Listen, the public gathering will be starting
very soon. The mayor wanted the children to have their parents
there. I need to go and check. Erin I will find you after supper so
I can meet Nuit. Thank you so much. I can’t express...!” They all
grinned and the group headed back to the city. Tempo ducked into
the shadow of the barn door. He would be nearby if Erin called.
Keir stayed in the tree, watching.

The mood tone of the crowd gathered was light
and curious. None of the past negativity was present in Sherroton’s
population. Mayor Cheroan introduced Gyan and shared with the crowd
about the henges and the energy. During the afternoon he had
checked the archives and the measurements of the henge. He was
pleased to tell them that the original placement hadn’t been
changed. The new glow stones and the disc would be installed
tomorrow. Then he turned the meeting over to Gyan. “This is the
last founder city we will visit on this quest. One of the reasons
we made this trip was to fix the city henges so we can have the
connections strong for our planet’s ‘battery’. There will be a
total eclipse in seven days time. More quakes will happen then
because of it but it is imperative that all corrections are in
place by then. Our trip isn’t over and we will leave early
tomorrow. But the other reason is for you to share your concerns
and for me to share any information I have to ease those. Please
raise your hands if you wish to speak.”

The people just looked at each other. Finally
one man said, “I assume some of the questions you have been dealing
with have to do with blaming witches, skunks and owls for the
weather and the quakes?” Gyan nodded and the man in the crowd spoke
again. This time he rotated looking at the people around him.
“Anybody believe any of that?” There were “No’s!” heard throughout
the crowd. The man turned to Gyan again and shrugged. “This witch
nonsense started in this province. We lost five good people who
were respected and loved to those crazy men. We don’t buy their
story. It doesn’t find fertile ground here!” The crowd cheered.

Gyan smiled. “You can’t believe how
refreshing that is to hear. Let me bring you up to date. You have
probably heard that Bure has been banished to Obsidian and Wras was
killed in a rock slide in Sidetel Pass.” Everybody nodded. “Well
apparently he didn’t die in the rock slide that killed several men
from Kunscap, because he was in the crowd at Osily yesterday. He
will be joining his cousin Bure as soon as we finish our
quest.”

A woman raised her hand. “Had you met him
before? How did you know?” Gyan smiled. Let me introduce to you
properly a person who has been traveling with my party. He spoke in
Erin’s mind. ‘Call Tempo and come forward.’ She complied and Tempo
was with her when she mounted the steps. “Some of you may recognize
this person as the young boy who helped save Holm and was
instrumental in the apprehension of Wras and Targ. This my friends
is Erin, daughter of Robse and Shamra, and was posing as a boy
because they were looking to kill her. Instead of running away she
was very helpful in building the case against them and it because
of her that Bure was caught.” People cheered. “You also should know
that she has a way with animals. This...” and she knelt down so
Tempo could climb to her shoulder then she stood. “is a wild skunk
that has been traveling with her. He is incredibly useful for
eating the vesi that plague travelers and as an early warning
system for quakes. Now I just want to be clear. Erin is much
esteemed by me and I want you to know that there is nothing magical
or witch-like about her. She just gets along with the wild ones and
they can sense it.” He smiled at the woman who asked the question.
“That was a long way around telling you that Erin was in the crowd
and saw Wras. By the way it was also Erin who discovered how the
ancients had hidden the information that we are acting on
today.”

“Are there any more questions?” A man raised
a hand. “Will you come again and stay a bit longer next time or do
you only leave Aerie when Ose is in crisis?”

Gyan nodded. “Your very tactful point is well
taken. I will try not to be a stranger. Thank you everyone!” Gyan
started to move through the crowd, shaking people’s hands. Erin was
greeted by several who remembered her from before and others who
wanted to see her skunk.

Zoi came up to her as the crowd was breaking
up. “I know it isn’t after supper, but is that Nuit?” She pointed
to a tree on the edge of the green.

Erin nodded. ‘Nuit, how are you?’

‘I am much better. My leg was very itchy for
awhile but it is healed now.’