Arcane Reconnaissance

Back in Westmark, Carn and Amala work to persuade the Watchers to help them find Aaron and Lysa.

20.

Arcane Reconnaissance

 

As Lysa and Aaron struggled with sleep, many miles away in Westmark, the royal court was buzzing with activity.

In the great hall, a group of wizards sat in front of glowing crystal balls, peering intently at misty images.     At a long table in the middle of the room, the Kings and Queens of Westmark and Tarmard stood with those who had escaped from the rescue mission, discussing ideas on finding their two lost friends.

“Still nothing, Your Highness.”  One of the wizards reported to Queen Aurei, who sighed in frustration.

“It’s that forest - the whole thing is enchanted.”    Zeatt told them for perhaps the hundredth time that long night.

“I just don’t see what else we can do to find them.”    Aurei rubbed her eyes, “We should have been more involved with this mission.”

“With the spies in Westmark, we thought a low-key approach was best.”   Snoe told her mother.

“Well, we’re not getting anywhere trying to find them by scrying device.”   King Eleazar said, rising to his feet and turning to one of his servants, “Go and bring Captain Gallo to me, and then go by the Airship dock and tell the crews of ‘The Red Dragon’ and ‘The Dark Queen’ to prepare their airships for a long flight.    All the crew is to be armed for battle.”

The entire room fell silent upon hearing the King’s words.   No-one said anything as the servant rushed out to obey his master’s orders.

Finally Aedric shifted slightly, cleared his throat and spoke to his father-in-law, “Your Highness, I agree with your plan, but I should point out that the Hutcaiah are said to have some sort of arcane airships as well and this could lead to war.”

Eleazar smiled at his son-in-law and fellow King, “I hope that it doesn’t come to that.    But we are not going to be bullied any longer by the Hutcaiah.    Our purpose is to find Aaron and Lysa and return, but we shall certainly fight anyone who resists us.”

“Still, it would help us if we had our search area shortened.”   Aedric commented as he turned and looked at the three Watchers who were sitting quietly in one corner mutely watching the proceedings.   Carn and Amala followed Aedric’s glance and with a quick look at each other, the couple arose and went over to the Watchers while the Kings and their court made plans for departure.

 

“Uh oh.”  Sophia said as she saw Carn and Amala approach, “I had hoped our presence here would be enough, but I’m not surprised, nor do I really blame them.”

“What should we do?”   Khord asked his wife, “They would be as frustrated as we would if we were in their shoes.    But we’ve helped them more than I think Yesh would have approved of, so helping them more would probably get us in terrible trouble.”

“But to not help them when we could - isn’t that rather evil?”   Deborah asked her companions as Carn and Amala stopped before them.

Sophia stood up to meet the Bards, “You know we are not allowed to help.”

“We know.”  Carn replied, “But I wanted to ask you something.”

“Ask.”   Sophia said warily.  

“You three are Watchers, selected by Yesh personally, correct?”

“We are.   You know that Carn.”

“What is your purpose then?”  

“To watch the events of this world and to follow the commands of Yesh when He wants us to do something.”

“So you obey the commands of Yesh at all times?”

“Yes, Carn, where are you going with these questions?”   Sophia responded, sensing that the Bard was about to tell them.

“Yesh is the Merciful and as I recall he once said, “Those who hear my voice will help those who are in need and all who are lost.   You cannot be my follower if you ignore your brother or sister in need.” "

“Yes, he said that Carn, but-“

“So when did that command of Yesh change, Sophia?”   Carn cut her off, his voice rising slightly in anger, “Am I to believe that the Lord would give that command to everyone who follows him, and yet withhold that command to the Watchers?”

“You can’t question God!”  Sophia protested.

“Yes, I can, and I do right now!    I tire of hearing about ‘Watchers’ who sometimes give aid to us and sometimes who can’t do anything!    Is Yesh contradicting himself now?    I realize you three were told by him not to interfere and to do only what he told you to do, but I wonder how you are supposed to obey Yesh in this, yet ignore his command from an earlier time?”

“What would you have us do, Carn?    Disobey a direct order from him?    Wouldn’t we still be in the same boat that you say that we’re in right now?”   Sophia shouted back, her own anger flaring.

Carn pointed at her pregnant belly, “Lady Sophia, you soon will be a mother - what would you do if one of your children was in need and Yesh gave you a direct order not to help her?     Simply comply with his orders, or at least demand a reason for it?    Do you not see the many eyes that glance back at the three of you as you sit here quietly watching our desperation?”

“What do you expect me to do?!”   She nearly screamed at the Bard.     Carn let her words echo for a moment, staring her down.

“Precisely as I am doing right now: fight for any way you can to help.  If you can’t help us directly, than seek an audience with Yesh and bring our desperation to him.    Or ask him to allow me to speak to him directly.     How can any of us pray to a God who will send some people here that can help us, yet he won’t let them help?”

“Yesh is Merciful, Carn, at all times.”   Khord said to the Bard as Sophia cried and Deborah comforted her.

“Then where is his mercy for us now, sir?”   Carn answered, and he glared at the Drow man until Khord looked down in shame.

Deborah looked up, tears streaming from her own eyes and her body trembling,  “They’re in a cave, to the east of a large clearing called ‘The Dale of the Damned’.   It’s about five miles into the Witches’ Forest from where they entered.    They’re safe there for a while, and the Hutcaiah won’t go after them due to fear of the forest.”

“Deborah!   No!”   Sophia groaned.

The Elven Watcher held her chin up, “I’m sorry, Sophia.    I just can’t do this anymore.    If Yesh removes me from my position, so be it, but I’ve wondered the same questions that Carn asked for some time.”

“This will not go well for us.”   Khord told her and Sophia nodded grimly.

“Place the blame on me.”    Carn said, “You did not fail from weakness.”

“What do you mean?”   Sophia asked, looking up.

“Not all Bard spells are sung.    I used one that is spoken called ‘Naj Kanor’s Response’.    You would not even know I cast it, and it only works on those who are struggling with strong emotions.   It causes those who it is cast upon to respond to a series of questions, but it doesn’t always work.”

“Well it did this time!”   Sophia snapped, “How dare you trick us!”

“Who would blame him?”   Amala moved in front of her husband, her own eyes glowing as red as Sophia’s orbs, “We don’t have time for niceties here or proper protocol.    We’ll take the blame with your boss, Sophia and I know I would be glad to stand before him and explain myself.     But for right now, we need to use the information to rescue Aaron and Lysa.”

 

Before anyone could say anything else, there was a flash of light and Deborah, Khord, Amala and Carn disappeared.    Everyone in the room screamed or shouted in surprise, except Sophia, who was looking up at the ceiling as if someone there was speaking to her.   After a few moments she bowed wearily and turned to look at those assembled.    They all fell silent as she spoke.

“Yesh was listening and he wants to speak to us.    Amala and Carn as well.   Do not fear, they will return shortly.    I’m not sure if the three of us Watchers will, though.    I’m sorry, but this is why we didn’t help you.    Goodbye.”

As soon as she spoke the last word, she vanished.   

Everyone was silent for a long moment.     Aurei took her Aunt Zeatt’s hand, for the Drow Cleric sat there wide-eyed in fear that she might not see Sophia and Khord again.

“Zeatt?”   Aurei gently asked, and everyone looked at her.

The Cleric took a deep breath, “We can’t let their sacrifice go to waste.   Yesh could have erased our memories of the location.    We must focus on rescuing Aaron and Lysa, but let us pray for those who will stand before God.”

Everyone in the hall bowed their heads and silently prayed, wondering what was happening elsewhere.