THE HOUR
ZETREH

Lady Deulore left the Hegleok house when chaos was at its peak. It was after a considerable distance from the rickety structure that Zetreh met her and the two embraced as rain fell hard around them and the skies thundered above.

“I believe that was accomplished just as you hoped,” Said the Lady breaking away from the embrace. “I cannot help if anyone from within the room saw us here like this.”

Zetreh smiled as he held her face in his hands while gently kissing the lips. “I will handle the one who even as we speak is watching us, bewildered. Ermal will be quiet for he is on the right side. You must now return to your home, I will be with you before very long.” Once again they embraced,

“I wish not to leave you but go I must if we are to meet again.” With that said she just took off, dissolving quickly into a watery figure, light footed, vanishing.

Ermal’s eyes met Zetreh’s even as he turned to look at the window through pouring rain. Ermal quietly left his place and returned to his chair by the fire, the council was closing and the commotion had ended. Dreser left with Cineon, she looked pleased that the council session had given her plenty to scribble down. Dreke and Brestuev helped Aliyha clear the desk while no doubt assuring her that everything would be done to bring Lady Deulore back to face the lawful punishments for her deeds and claims. Mister Almonne would be useful, he could be counted on to find her and drag her back. At the mention of his name however, Aliyha relaxed if only a bit, he could be counted on to bring the matter under the council’s control.

“Ermal! Where have your thoughts drifted to?” It was a while later when Aliyha was standing in front of her son half amused, half irritated. “The rain has somewhat lessened so I thought I would take a walk and …” a pause, a wicked smile, “…maybe think up a proper punishment for dear Lady Deulore.” She chuckled as she turned to the window, “When I say punishment, I mean lawfully of course.” At the door she turned, smiled sweetly at her younger son, “You should rest. You are tired I see, tomorrow will be a very long, hard day… With any luck!” The door closed and Ermal sat in the dimly lit Council Room alone or at least he thought he was by himself.

The house was quiet, the room even more so with only the remaining few pieces of wood crackling as the fire burned low. He just waited in his chair thinking of everything since Edsoniea’s vanishing to the sight of Mister Almonne and the Lady of the Mount mountain on the road, something only he had seen he felt sure. There was a certain strangeness to every one of these thoughts – they were real incidents that had happened.

When finally he had decided that maybe he had better head off to bed, he was indeed tired. Thinking he would stop by Brestuev’s room and talk it all out with him or even with Dreke before actually going to bed, Ermal headed upstairs.

The ancient house on Mount mountain stood silent. Its broad stone-wood doors and windows over-looking large areas of dark woods below on one side ajar for long ages had allowed creatures of the earth and green vines an unchallenged entrance and on the other side the house faced the Fordust Creek river-bank and upon it peoples’ tiny towns.

Homes made from wood gathered from nearby trees on the edge of the wood. The folk of Fordust Creek were alert and on guard. They came from a long line of ancient warriors and guards that fought in wars and guarded the entrances to the ancient house and its once upon a time kingdom by the creek. Men of these folk had inhabited even the woods but that was many whiles from the present day. Now, men fished and grew plant but never ventured inside the tree land and the women cared for the young and the old and many a times joined their men in fields. There were four young women who did neither of these things except wander around.

Two of the women were sisters and the other two were friends to each other as well as to the sisters. The dwellers of Fordust Creek and the Mount mountain were always occupied with chores, and tales that elder of the women told kept the others entertained but not so the four. Swulirha the elder of the four and sister to Kwairha was of bold heart and strong willed. Tall and graceful yet not that beautiful she had lived by the edge of the woods for as long as she cared to let herself and the others remember. And the two friends Westeria and Nuorta had been with the sisters since they were all toddlers. This forest was a part of Greo and of the wood that bordered one side of Wyoungthed. It stood large and in certain places dense, in others but a sprinkle of trees.

The second sister Kwairha, on the other hand, was the image of beauty and fair heart. Not being as tall as Swulirha bothered her little, she was always a dreamer and often told her sister about this one dream she always had. She had a mind of great intelligence.

“Who is it my sister that so captures your heart?” Swulirha teased every time the word ‘dream’ was mentioned. To which Kwairha frowned like an impatient adolescent.

“It is not a man that captures my heart but an old house. That one!” she said pointing to the house on the Mount mountain. “I dream I lived there at some time in my life, it beckons to me.” Now as a rule founded by the people crediting the old tales, no young or old women were to ever go anywhere near the ancient house. Reasons given were vague but frightening enough to keep all away from the ancient open house, everyone but creatures from the woods and greens of the soil that is.

“It just probably means that you will marry a prince whose home will be a castle.” Teased Westeria giving Kwairha a slight push.

“Is everybody listening?” Nuorta would giggle and announce to an invisible crowd, “Kwairha’s love prince has her enchanted by castles and what have you!” And like this it went on every time the dream was mentioned, young Kwairha got teased by her friends and sister but not once taken seriously.

Swulirha knew, she was aware that the dream her sister kept talking about could not for long be ignored and thought of in a fun way. There was truth to it. Kwairha, she knew would find a way to enter the house and then … well, it had better be dealt with before it reached to that, one of these days Swulirha and the friends would simply have to sit the dreamer down and talk to her about everything.

Inckle walked about the forest in circles for so long that at one point the gamhnurt forgot his actual purpose for being there. Tired and hungry, he could barely find any green worth eating. Still he dragged himself on round and round or so he thought. He fought the tiredness that wished to conquer him. Too many wakings had already slipped by, rest was out of the question, he moved on.

It took Inckle one entire, long waking to reach a small clearing where the trees thinned and there he collapsed and let exhaustion conquer his every limb. Before closing his eyes to end the waking, he looked around. A slight surge of hope, maybe this was the end of the woods that bordered a part of his land. He might have made it to a land where men lived … men … strangers to his kind. A sad expression, then sleep erased every thought until the dawn of the next waking, if ever one came.

Again, Inckle saw the face with its unblinking eyes staring at his spread out form. A certain dread filled the dreamer’s being but it quickly vanished when a very known and lovely face appeared in the dream, the face belonged to his mother. She stood bent over him smiling and saying how important it was that he, her dear son keep going on … she believed in him. Inckle, even in the deepest of sleep felt the warm embrace that his mother Fiel gave him. He rolled over in the dirt hugging the ground and wept in joy at what he had seen but still, those eyes stared at the both of them now. The gamhnurt reached out a hand grabbing at the frightful face, he nearly touched it when Tesma held and pulled his hand back. She was lovely, still somehow different, oh how dearly he loved her and she adored him.

Inckle saw his friends and they all had words to say, words he needed so much to hear. They missed him … each one loved him and believed in him… Astra Deins too.

That face never let them alone, it always stared and sneered and over again Inckle chanced a grab at it but instead his hand held nothing but his friends’, the ground in an embrace, a grasp.

Even as the sleeping gamhnurt saw faces of those whom he loved, and of Time whom he knew not but suffered fright under her gaze, all the while on the floor of the Creek woods*, Rieah’s wise mind’s spirit watched him. She could do nothing just yet. It upset her.

A chill breeze pierced Inckle, suddenly awaking him.

Wyoungthed looked more desolate than the previous waking. Fiel observed from her crouched position on the cold dry earth ground. The others were still resting, they had made the decision when Korehk fell in a faint as they neared the borders of their land, not the forested border rather the hilly region which separated them from the other lands and folk. The group after having left the Stone Lovers’ neighborhoods had taken a different route. Instead of going all the way through the Earth Protectors’ neighborhoods Fiel and Trejeth lead them all over flat terrain where the ground appeared long ages old, cracked and then greens that once grew with roots grasping the soft earth strongly, now simply held the earth limply; evidence that Time was winning already without even the ware beginning.

The weather was colder than that of the waking before and Fiel Vilksumer felt it. Putting on another sweater over the last two she had on, she forced herself to stand and take a short walk. With each step, the short walk became a long one. Soon she had climbed a distant hillock and stood there looking about and below her. A big part of Wyoungthed met her eye, most of it being the borders of Earth Protectors’ neighborhoods’ and the whole of the Stone Lovers’ part of land. Her little home lay out of sight. For long she was there atop just looking in the distance as if Inckle could be spotted, a tiny moving speck she could then follow with the others and soon join him.

“Wonder how far off he has got too?” Untholio had climbed up beside her. “I feel Inckle has the forest trail,” he continued.

“The woods are dense around the borders of our land that side,” Fiel spoke quietly, thoughtfully. “Even for a fast walker it could be hard … no food and its cold … I worry about him Untholio,” she suddenly appeared sickly and aged for a moment and Untholio worried. “I worry about my Incky pie,” smiled Fiel noticing the look on the other’s face, “I do not doubt him.”

The two stood there a while longer watching the borders of lands joining Wyoungthed’s, the woods and further than them. Soon a colder breeze than before began blowing and Fiel thought it better they get down to the others. Half way down the hillock the two met Astra going up.

“Climbing the high rock eh?” joked Untholio, “Well, we been there already, we won!” Astra looked from one to the other for several moments and just as Untholio began too regret his silly joke Astra burst into a cackle.

“Very funny! I have been sent to bring you back to the remaining of us. Korehk is up and breakfasted, a bit cold but looking well. “He stepped in line with the others as best he could and continued chuckling at the remark.

“It is good to hear that our friend Korehk is with us, “Fiel spoke conveying relief. “I feared in this weather he might have …”

“Never fear about that Lady Fiel,” said Astra as he began hopping down a little ahead of the rest. “Korehk of Stone Lovers is a gamhnurt not ordinary like most see.” Just realizing he had in most probability offended his companions, he quickly added, “I mean no offense to you my friends.”

Fiel smiled, “We know you did not Astra and there is no need of apologising.” “Yes. Tell us though what you meant by Korehk not being like the rest of us gamhnurts.” By now they were a short way off from the foot of the hillock.

“Now, I did not say he was unlike the rest of us gamhnurts, just that he is not ordinary. For all the wakings I have known the nurt he has on more than one occasion shown extraordinary qualities, done unlikely things that gamhnurts like us would not or could not do.” He was at the foot now. Fiel and Untholio had nearly reached him,

“That sounds like a story or more I want to hear.” Untholio said eagerly. “Maybe another waking though, my friend for, now we must get a move on.” The two were almost at the foot of the hillock when Astra exclaimed impishly.

“Cheats win because they are honest in their method of play!” He had a huge grin which the two saw, Fiel smiled and caught Untholio’s eye. A serious expression on his face said trouble was coming and before she could stop him Untholio’s words sprang off his tongue with every bit of mischief intended. “O share with us the secret knowledge you master cheat, we walk behind ashamed in earnest defeat!” And then it happened. Astra and Untholio chased each other the rest of the way to where Trejeth and Korehk waited all packed. Fiel followed the running nurts at a distance laughing at the friends’ behavior. Shouts, laughter and many other forms gamhnurt fun brought the group together at the spot where they had halted to rest. Trejeth looked serious and one look at his face and all quieted.

“Lady Fiel, I think it is time we begin our long walk to get across the borders this way, it cannot be easy I feel. Let us save a few of those laughs for the wakings and moments when they are needed.”

Untholio looked down at his feet as if hurt. Then reached for his bag, hoisted it over his shoulder and stood waiting for everyone else to do the same. This time Trejeth walked with Korehk closely followed by Fiel and the two friends, who continued teasing each other quietly. They headed out of Wyoungthed, the smooth path eventually changed to more than ever unstable rocky ground. It was cold and the light was dull but among them there was the warmth of friendship and a brightness of its spirit, they were good on their feet, they would make it.

Seven days were left for the war to begin between Time and Rieah and her allies. The second hand of Time dashed about preparing for the coming hour while Time’s first adviser ticked every counting with a handful of sand, each grain falling through his fingers, some time less for all beings. The change in the winds across lands meant the message had been heeded by many a wise mind.

Time watched all and felt her army come together, the wise minds were her loyal warriors and those who were not, those minds who thought Rieah was wisest and they still wished to fight with her instead of against her, well, they would soon decide in Time’s favor. The unblinking eyes stared ahead seeing all yet appearing to see nothing.

Ermal reached the head of the staircase and thought against talking to any of his brothers. He needed to think some more, maybe in the morning he would bring it up with everyone at breakfast or the council session, that way Mister Almonne could be confronted.

He opened the door to his room, stepped inside and lit the lamp on a table by the wall. It was a room like many in the house, large with heavy furniture and that lamp was one of the two sources of light in that chamber, the other being about ten candles on a huge candle holder on the desk along the opposite wall that right then stood unlit.

It took Ermal a few moments to realize there was someone in the room with him. A slight movement from somewhere in the darkened part of the room while he, Ermal remained still by the bed saw first the tip of a boot, then a step into the light and there he stood. Tall, taller than Ermal remembered him to be from just hours before, a face of aging youth, serious yet kind and eyes that held one in their gaze. Strength-less but not so much frightened as overwhelmed by an admiration and respect so strong. Ermal remained gaping at the king like figure before him.

“Mister Almonne! I am terribly sorry I think I entered the wrong bedchamber. They all look alike from the outside.” Ermal mumbled and sprinted to the door reaching it the same instant his arm was gripped.

“Do not act less smart, please! We both know all too well this is your chamber and not the wrong one, mine. Stay. Let us talk a little.” The voice was quiet but not threatening.

Ermal pulled his arm free quickly, reached for the door and locked it. There was no resistance with which he could fight this man.

“I cannot leave even though I probably should,” whispered the young Hegleok leaning on the closed door. “I am not stupid you are right, this is my room. We can talk.”

Zetreh smiled, almost laughed. “I am so glad you agree or else I might have had to make you agree forcefully.” He moved to the dark toward the candle holder while Ermal stood rooted, transfixed.

“Mind if I light these? Let us have it less dark in here.” Zetreh began lighting the slender wax fingertips. Ermal moved over to the table with the lamp and sat on it.

“The light is a lot better now, is it not?” said Zetreh looking up from his task to where the other stood. “Ah yes! I see you are already comfortably seated, perched would be more appropriate a word.” A short laugh, then, “Listen to every word I speak young Hegleok for I am here to tell you a story of truths and by the end of it, you will have to decide what you choose to believe and where your heart desires to be.” He brought up a chair and sat in front of Ermal leaving enough room for either to walk about. The wax fingers melted gently, slowly, moments slipped by.

Swulirha stepped out from under the trees, walking to her tiny dwelling, one of the two that stood by the edge of the Creek woods. Soundlessly she opened the door and entered. Kwairha sat in one corner huddled by a dying fire in a small hearth.

She appeared to be asleep until, “Swulirha, where have you wandered to and why without me?” Quickly tossing away the ash colored cloak into a corner by the door, Swulirha greeted her sister and walked into the next room only to return with a bowl of stewed herbs and a piece of cold baked fish to find Kwairha holding aloft the cloak inspecting it.

“I went for a stroll in the woods Kwairha,” that would be closer to the truth thought the elder sister as she ate from her bowl.

“We always take walks together my sister. I know the paths within the woods and there is not a path in there that will soil a cloak this way, beside tear at the seam!” Kwairha looked at her sister, eyebrows raised. “Have you been climbing trees and running aimlessly like when you were young Swulirha?”

The eating woman nearly chocked defending herself saying, “No! I have been walking not climbing trees and running aimlessly. Give it here.” She reached for the cloak not a moment to soon; Kwairha threw it at her before walking back to her seat by the hearth. The other followed and the two sat facing each other. The fire was almost out but neither bothered.

“There are things I must talk with you about,” said Swulirha quietly. “First tell me, have you dreamed lately?” Kwairha stunned by the question fidgeted. “You want us to talk about my dream?”

“Yes Kwairha if any time you should tell me of it, it is now.” Swulirha smiled warmly, encouragingly. “Speak every detail of it to me and then,” a pause, she looked at the cloak on her lap, “I shall tell you what it, the dream, means.”

“You know what it means and all this time you and Westeria along with Nuorta have been teasing me on purpose!” it was more a hurt statement than a question. Kwairha frowned.

“It was done for a reason, the truth had to be kept but now… you must know.” Swulirha said quietly.

And so the dying fire was stoked with more wood and the two friends summoned. It was later in the night when the four gathered together, three talking, and one listening.

Ermal sat perched on the edge of the desk shocked. The man before him was not just an employee of the council under his mother’s authority; he was a chief, a leader of his people, he answered to no one but himself and yet he was the Wise One’s aid.

“I think I will open the window, a bit of fresh air.” Ermal decided but Zetreh had him change his mind.

“Leave it be as it is. It would be unwise to freely allow words to be carried on the wind,” said he quietly. “There is wind outside, Time has begun preparing for what she thinks is war to win.”

Ermal appeared lost. “Mister Almonne,” he broke off unsure if he was addressing the other correctly.

“It is all right, you may address me the same as before, as if you know not a thing.” Zetreh said in an attempt to assure the young Hegleok.

“But I do know and what I know and what I am expected to believe is that my mother is being made a fool of.” Exploded Ermal irritably.

“Ermal Hegleok! If you do not keep calm and your voice from rising you might as well bid farewell to all chances of justice.” Said Zetreh sternly. “Aliyha Slyionthe is wicked and still she has been unscathed by Time in her wicked affairs. She believes she is protected by a witch woman and she holds that in her favour and in the favour of her council but in fact she is being protected by the Wise One not a witch woman. How is that making her a fool?”

The two stood staring at each other, eyes locked until finally Ermal broke the silence, more quietly this time. “The Wise One is using mother and this council to serve its own purpose, would you not say?”

“The Wise One does no such thing.” Zetreh replied seriously. “In circumstances like these, one can only try and keep another safe by making them believe that they are being aided in their everyday business.”

Ermal walked to the table and sat on its edge again. “Would the Wise One have protected Edsoniea had she been the head of council? She is by right the head you know.”

“The answer to both is yes.” Zetreh said. “Your sister left not out of guilt and she will return having borne the future of this council, bringing challenge to those who challenge it.”

The words sounded grave and Ermal wanted to hear more about his dear sister but Zetreh said not a word more.

Ermal spoke again, voice hoarse. “You are the council’s Peoples’ Person but what you really are –”

“I am the one who survived the betrayal of a friend, the one who swam stretches of unending water and marsh, the one who set foot on Fordust Creek choosing to forget another of my own folk back in the marshy Kourass who alone dwells till this day thinking herself the sole one of the Truoles to be alive.” A pause, an intense pair of eyes stared afar seeing things none other could see. “The love of the Lady of the Mount mountain I am, though my heart and soul I gave to the Wise One in the making of her world. I am the one who knows things of this world and not of this world."

He held Ermal at the shoulders, “Are you, son of Gregieo Hegleok the truest, you that hold pure within you, good intentions toward all in every land, are you not on the right side?”

Ermal was and so he said, “I am a Hegleok, born of the woman who understands not the value of this name. I am on the right side.” The two embraced like brothers.

“It is later than the hour of the bat*,” said Zetreh, “And still there are things we have not talked of but now would be a good time to rest and think. We shall have another moment to speak of matters closer to your heart.”

He opened the door an inch, turned to his host and whispered. “It is important to rest while moments are ours. There but a few wakings left before Time strikes and the hour when that happens will be moments when we will all need our minds alert for quick thinking.” He was already looking more like Mister Almonne, Ermal thought. “Rest. Let not the words spoken interfere with your mind’s peace. Sleep well.” The room was quiet and Ermal alone.

Inckle began wandering about the little clearing, somewhat refreshed from the long rest. It had been a long while of dreams, almost the entire waking and it was now dusk. Hunger struck a pang in the middle of his stomach and he crouched down searching for floherbs but only found a variety of herbs so insipid and bitter that having tasted a bit, knew he could not eat. After a while of crouching and searching, Inckle began walking toward a gurgling sound. The creek’s water met his eyes and he rushed forth, he needed a drink, a wash, oh just to feel water. A few steps before he got out of tree cover, Inckle stopped short as a moving cloak a little further away from where he stood appeared to glide quick past him and head for a little dwelling some way off. As the cloak glided past him Inckle became aware that it was in fact a being wrapped by it. Her eyes two glowing orbs in the gloomy surroundings, and she appeared tall, her movements graceful.

Inckle hid behind a low thick branch as she passed him, then slow, with soft steps followed this creature of elegance. A quiet walk they took. One in a hurry, the other cautious, a cat and mouse play. Once Inckle very near stepped on a toad, it skipped in a croak out of the way. The second incident would have snared Inckle if his eye had not caught the outline of a dirty old rope covered in leaves and earth. A trap for anyone wandering into the forest, what a place to put a snare really! Thought Inckle after having confirmed the rope’s other end was tied to a tree branch and that it was indeed a snare.

Another thought and a big smile changed the expression on his face from musing to gleeful. It had to do with a game that all nurts were familiar with. Wully had never been able to avoid getting toppled over by the rope in the ground… it was funny! Inckle breathed deep and quietly as he remembered. Without knowing it, the distance to the dwelling was less than ten steps for him and for the one he followed, it was two steps and then the door opened and the creature entered. Inckle followed quicker now, on tiptoes. He reached it before long and paused. It appeared to be a wooden structure and no bigger than a gamhnurt home. Tiptoeing, he went around to the back and there a tiny window stood ajar bringing to Inckle the sounds of low conversation and a tantalizing smell of stewed herbs and something else… what? Peering in was not possible, as he would surely get caught so Inckle stayed low listening to the flow of words. Inckle Vilksumer never once thought he could be so fascinated by voices of creatures called men. There were two of them inside and although he could hear nothing clearly, Inckle sensed disagreement in the muffled tones. Those two in there were arguing and the eavesdropping gamhnurt decided that he had to simply get a better listening point and maybe even chance a peek so, stealthily he crawled to the back of the dwelling and peered up, no opening only wall. Again he crawled to the other side of the structure and looked up at the wall on that side and there, a tiny crack in the wooden plank wall he saw. He stood his full length peeked in through the crack, two silhouetted figures against the glow of a dying fire met his sight. One held the cloak and appeared to be examining it, the other stood just opposite from where he was with a bowl of grub eating. They were extremely beautiful men admired the nurt having not really knowing the difference between men and women.

Seeing that he did not have to press his ear to listen in, he just looked and heard all. Within moments it seemed to the gamhnurt, though it was later and the night old, two more men joined in, they knocked on the door before entering.

“Is it time?” Westeria spoke quietly, quickly taking in the scene; the two sisters by the small hearth.

Kwairha had just retold every single detail of dream of the house on the Mount mountain and now sat back mumbling but when she caught sight of the two friends, she sat up saying, “Well, let us go to the Mount mountain. I can hardly wait.” Kwairha headed toward the corner where her cloak and sandals were kept, put them both on and turned around to face the rest smiling. “Why have you all become enemies of smiles so suddenly? Come now, it is what I have been wishing to do for so long and you have something to tell me about my dream, why not tell me on the way to the house? Come!”

Still nobody moved so Kwairha herself stepped to the door intending to take the first step out but was stopped.

“Kwairha, the night can hear and winds speak carrying words to the distance, it will be unwise to talk of the matters we must, in the open.” Nuorta stood behind her, gently pulling Kwairha in, away from the door.

“I do not understand what frightens you so! Since when have we feared the night and the wind?” Kwairha looked puzzled from one face to the other.

Swulirha guided her sister to seat by the fire, sat herself opposite while the other two remained close standing.

“We do not fear but we are cautious.” Swulirha said answering the question. “You were born to our mother in the hour of love between her and an illusory man. He has more than one name and has for long ages devoted himself to his queen.” Kwairha looked at her sister, confusion in her eyes.

“Do not speak until you hear me sister dear.” said Swulirha sensing the other’s agitation. “Our father, he was kind and he loved mother dearly and us too. But he was too old and frail at the time when he discovered the betrayal, he had little strength to fight and too much love to hate so, he continued to believe we were of the same blood and to mother, he gave a kindly gift.”

A pause and the storyteller stood and began pacing. The short silence that followed rang loud. Inckle heard it too outside, mingled with the cold wind was the sound of quiet.

“Father gave our mother a choice. She was to relinquish her love which she still held close and stay with him and us both or give up her family, be gone.”

Here Westeria stepped close to Kwairha, hand on her shoulder. “Your mother tried leaving with you when I caught her and did all I could to convince her to stay. I was your caretaker.”

“She would not hear of it, you were promised to your father and yours was the kingdom with all its riches.” Aghast, Kwairha started to say something but again was silenced.

“Mother did leave with you sister but she did not pass beyond the forest where guards came upon her unnoticed and took you from her.” Swulirha carried on the telling.

“Nuorta brought you back to the house while father went into the woods so as to talk to mother.” She went on. “The Orliereas was a rich family, almost royal and our mother’s ancestral home had the name of Muoriels on. There were always conflicts since the time of our grand uncle Grtrez Hyute, mother’s father’s step brother but since our parents marriage, the conflicts stopped and great uncle Grtrez, before he passed on expressed a wish.”

A deep breath followed, Inckle swallowed hard, he was tense! “I was to have Fordust Creek and the Mount mountain when all the rest were no more. I was to be Lady of the Mount mountain and we were to share the administration of these two places. That was his wish. I, a Lady, you the ruler living in the ancient house on the Mount mountain. You are the heir of the riches and name and I am here as your assistant who will help you administer our land and people.”

Kwairha stood and walked to her sister, she embraced the other saying, “I understand now …”

“We have told you about only a part of the past,” said Swulirha pulling away. “Do not embrace me till you know all. I fear then, you will not want to embrace me at all.”

“Do not say such things, it will never happen.” Kwairha said emotionally, she leaned against the wall blocking the crack that was Inckle’s source of intriguing listening. “There is not a thing that will make me dislike my own flesh and blood and my friends.”

“Pray, listen before you pronounce,” Westeria said pleadingly.

“Mother escaped before father could get to her and the guards. The watchers of the woods could hold her not very long. I was oldest so I took over mother’s responsibilities, looking after you and after our father while he ruled over the lands.” Swulirha had begun talking. “It was hard with father old, adamant on ruling even though he himself was fading. It got harder once he left us to dwell in with the stars… That is when the world turned upside down for us. Difficult decisions had to be made.” She exchanged a glance with the friends and when they gave no indication she should stop, Swulirha realized the moment had come. “The Mount mountain and Fordust Creek were in chaos, without a ruler, you were young and next in line to our father’s place as head of family and lands… I did what I thought was right, I took you and them,” she pointed at the two friends sighing, “And I fled to the forest’s depths where no guard could follow and none could find us. You are the rightful ruler and Lady but you were a child and I decided to give you a life of no concern until your day came to know your identity, here it is.”

Kwairha trembled visibly as she heard this and tears fell from her eyes. “You did what you thought best and I hold it not against you Swulirha.”

A sad smile crossed Swulirha’s lips, “Again I ask that you not speak such words because the story has not ended.” Somewhere along the line, listening to the women talk Inckle had realized these were not men, these were ladies, royal like and beautiful. Fiel’s face came before his eyes, his dear mother and then Tesma…a sad expression clouded the gamhnurt’s face and tears rolled down. His silent weeping lasted a short while, an outburst no doubt from the one named Kwairha interrupted the crying nurt and made him jump.

“How could you, sister of mine do that? Is it because I am not your father’s daughter like you yourself are…That is why you chose to pass that law before you left with me?”

“It is not true!” Swulirha cried, “I hate you not one bit and I have no right to punish my own kin, you have done me no wrong.”

Inckle had missed something while he had been weeping and dreaming of his mother, an important part of the conversation and now he wondered. Indeed, he had been in that same spot for long, hoping to start back homeward as soon as the talk ended with one of these ladies, not men but of the same race. “That is why I feel the house beckons to me and that man… I am Lady so he is to be my … Lord.” Kwairha spoke, she was upset.

“That is what I did wrong, I fell in love with your prince and all the while… he has returned those feelings … from the time he swam up stream, he was a lone settler and we were wood dwellers… I am so sorry Kwairha. Punish me, you have the right to. No one can deny or challenge the rights of a Ruler and a Lady!”

A long silence followed where the only sound came from muffled sobs from Swulirha.

Inckle peeked in and saw the four; one was crying softly, two staring absently in thin air. The peeking nurt fell on his back with a start when he saw the third looking straight at him through the crack. She had not seen him evidently or if she had, had ignored. Deep in thought she was, no one spoke but the wind, which was colder than a while before.

“I have decided that no punishment is suitable to you my sister. You deserve not that fate. Neither do the two of you, my friends. You were all doing what needed to be done.” Kwairha broke the silence finally. “There are still things, how’s and why's that I have to know about the past but first,” she turned around, face sober. “I want to be taken to the house --”

“You do not understand,” broke in Westeria unable to remain quiet. “No one can step in there but the Lady and her chosen Lord. That was promised and words of a promise should be kept lest they turn against the one who uttered them.” Westeria backed away to a corner and remained silent.

“It is only after the Lady of the Mount mountain and Fordust Creek with her Lord step in, that the ruler, in this case you can enter the ancient dwelling of your father’s.” Nuorta said factually.

“Very well,” Kwairha said, the young Lady and ruler walked toward the hearth with its fire burning low again. “I request to meet the future Lord of these lands, my sister. And I wish him to know the truth.”

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