The Children of Calm
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Authors: J Michael Smith
The Children of Calm
Book One
By
J Michael Smith
Text and illustrations copyright © 2015 by J Michael Smith
Cover design and layout by J Michael Smith and Joel Smythe of
The Graphics Lab
All rights reserved.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the author.
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For Holly, who never stopped believing.
Tresten Altan Damavae
, High Royal King of Calabranda, to his beloved firstborn,
Jocren Eman
:
You have undoubtedly learned during your short life that I am neither one for many words, nor for overly-long ruminations. Therefore, I shall do as you would expect and not linger on pointless essays and easily forgotten exhortations.
However, I do have the following to say, so bear with the foolishness of your father as I attempt to put into words a few of my thoughts.
As you are now coming of age, you will soon discover that your perceptions of the world around you are, at best, misconceived. You have been granted a life of privilege, but do not think for one moment that it is in any way superior to those of less opportunity. Every family carries dark secrets that, while undesirable, do well to instill humility. There are also untold stories deep in the hearts of all men that have slowly and surely molded them into the persons they are now, and indeed, are still in the process of becoming. As you are my son, I naturally find a responsibility to do all within my power to shape you into an upright man, full of justice and mercy, wisdom and grace. It is therefore imperative to teach you of your past, for history is the greatest tutor with which time has blessed us. Your story is forever intertwined with mine, just as mine is with your future children, and theirs with their ancestors – and on throughout all of history.
For in truth there is only one Magnificent Story, and we are all mere characters playing out the small roles that have been granted to us. Or possibly life can be likened to one great River, we being its tributaries, pouring all of our essence into each other, mingling and coexisting as one. Perhaps better still, you may think of all creation being woven into one beautiful Tapestry, of which we are single threads: when looked upon singly, there is not much brilliance for us to boast upon; but when taken into context with the whole of all creation, we are held in awe by the sheer weight of Life’s glory – an acceptable testament to The One.
Forgive me, for you of course see why I usually restrain myself from many words; flowery prose often deters the reader from grasping intended meaning, whether intentionally or not. If there is anything I long to do, it is to be clear with you.
I start again: in order for you to know who you are, you must know from where you have come. Here for your edification, and quite hopefully pleasure, is a part of your story – a brief accounting of your family. It has been meticulously pieced together from journals, oral accounts, and the Green Book of Weshern, told in narrative form by our faithful friend, Chamil Mishet, the Royal Historian. May it serve you, your siblings, and your future children well throughout all of history, as The Story forever tells on, The River flows on, and as The Tapestry likewise continues to be woven.
(I could not resist.)
May the most blessed fifteenth birthday be upon you, dearest son.
(One final thought before I have this volume gifted: allow no person to administer judgment on you because of your youth. As you shall soon read, it is often the young who mold the future of Mira most directly. Therefore, make the most of the time that is granted you.)
Under the full light of Nevarra and Pelanna shall come forth brothers:
One of the Dawn, one of the Twilight.
In turmoil she shall descend into the ashes of the earth
While her sons usher in the dawning of the New Year:
Hope for the downtrodden
Rest for the labor-weary
Peace for those who dwell in Calabranda;
For together they shall reunite the estranged kindred of all Aenosh.”
- excerpt from
The Prophecies of Balthantos
;
The Green Book of Weshern
Contents
Calm
Three:
Of Tauffles, Wooden Swords, and Roasted Corn
Six:
Tales at
The Bell And Candle
The Finding
Seven:
The Sea and All It Contains
Eight:
What Lies Hidden Beneath
Nine:
Perdeisolen
Eleven:
The Twilight Gate
Twelve:
The Cursed Ruins of Khragzul
Thirteen:
Visions and Vocamancy
Fourteen:
Truth and Consequences
Fifteen:
The Touch of the Ancient
The Return
Sixteen:
The Children of Calm
Calm
Children of the Promise
It was meant to be a time of celebration and joy
; a time of reflection and hope; a time of fellowship and peace in Calm.
Nevertheless, panic was growing in the doctor’s mind.
Many of the villagers were still gathered by the shore of Lake Calm, enjoying the serenity of the scene as a few hundred starpods lit the surface of the water. Others were walking to their homes, laughing and toasting each other with time-honored couplets. Word was even spreading that two sets of twins had been born just as the village bell rang in New Year.
But now, less than thirty minutes after the echoes of the bell’s chimes were softly dissolved, a horrific scene was playing itself out within the clinic.
“Laeona, clear the room!” the doctor shouted over the otherworldly howls and shrieks coming from the woman lying on the delivery table. She glanced quickly at the handful of women who had wanted to aid during the delivery, but were now crying out anxiously. “I want them out of here now! How am I supposed to concentrate when they’re competing with her to be heard?”
“Yes, Penephoni,” Laeona said as she led the other women out of the room.
“And check how the newborns are doing,” Penephoni quickly added as Laeona shut the door. She turned her full attention back to the helpless woman, whose writhing body was ironically bathed in the warm light of the starpods. There was nothing physically wrong with the woman that she could see. However, logic was defied as she lay shrieking and thrashing violently on her bed as though someone were brutally torturing her. “There must be something I haven’t thought of,” she said to herself. So she kept checking, double-checking, pushing, prodding, but any last vestige of hope was quickly fading from her.
The woman began twisting and contorting in inhuman ways. As her arms flailed through the air, she knocked over one of the bedside tables and caused a crystal bowl of water to shatter and spill its contents on the floor. The starpod that had been floating on the water lay in the corner, its light slowly dying. The shadows were askew as the woman’s hands clutched the sides of her head.
“
FATHER!”
she cried. “
FATHER, WHY?”
Penephoni stood by her side, frozen with terror. Then without warning, the woman sat up rigidly and her shriek reached a level that made Penephoni’s heart stop for a moment. Just as suddenly she fell limp and silent. Her cries left far-reaching echoes in the valley, where they were accompanied by the howls of dogs and the cries of children. Laeona came rushing back in the room and gasped. Her own heart pounding in her chest, Penephoni reached up with a trembling hand to feel the woman’s pulse.
There was nothing; the woman was dead.
Penephoni’s head sagged down to her chest as her vision blurred. “This shouldn’t have happened,” she said softly. “She was acting fine just minutes ago. I…I don’t understand.” She fell to her knees and wept, stroking the woman’s hand and arm. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
Then something very peculiar happened, something that haunted her dreams for years to come. A faint black smoke began to rise from the woman’s ear, and as Penephoni rose to investigate, she watched as a very small object fell from that ear and rolled onto the bed.
“What in all of Mira?” she mumbled.
A quick glance discovered a similar object had fallen from the woman’s other ear. She took them in her hands and saw that the objects resembled tiny clear peas. One looked to have been punctured and was flat, while the other was solid and appeared clouded. They were cool to the touch, and had no discernible odor. The solid one was somewhat soft and springy, yet held its shape with much resilience.
Holding them tightly in her hand, Penephoni walked to the door. “I’ll be back in a minute,” she told Laeona. “See if you can find anything – anything at all. I’m going to check on Clarina and the children, and then find Elder Caenar.”
She walked across the hall to Clarina’s room. Before she opened the door, she paused and looked at her hand as it shook uncontrollably on the door handle. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and willed herself to relax. Then she lightly knocked as she opened the door. “How’s my new mother doing?” she asked as she went inside the room.
Clarina looked radiant despite having just delivered twins. Her soft red hair was luxurious as it fell on her shoulders.
How does she do it?
Penephoni thought to herself.
“Pen, what in Mira is going on?” Clarina asked, her face tight with concern. “Is Retessa alright?”
“I don’t want you worrying about anything right now at all,” Penephoni said as she looked over some papers Kelni had left for her. “You need rest, since I’m sure you won’t have any for awhile with those twins to take care of.”
“I’m fine,” Clarina said. “What happened?”
“It looks like everything is okay,” Penephoni said as she placed the papers back on a table. She was careful not to look long into Clarina’s eyes. “I assume Kelni is in the nursery. I’m just going to check on the children and speak with Elder Caenar. Promise me you’ll try to eat something as soon as you think you can stomach it. When you’re ready, simply ring the bell, and either Kelni or Laeona will come assist you. Of course, feel free to ring the bell if you need anything else, too.”
She turned to leave the room.
“Pen! Answer me!”
“Oh, and Happy New Year!” Penephoni said to her as she closed the door behind her, nearly choking on the words.
***
The nursery was a few doors up the hall. As her stomach rolled within her, she opened the door to see Kelni bathing a pale, bald baby boy as a large auburn-haired man watched.
“When do you think I can…?” The man stopped himself when he saw Penephoni. He and Kelni looked at her, and she merely shook her head.
“I don’t know, I don’t know,” she said half to herself, half to them. However, as she looked at the four newborns, a bittersweet smile broke upon her face and her eyes welled. “But how are my little patients doing?” she asked as she placed a gentle hand on one of the swaddled bundles.
“The other three are all resting, thankfully, and I’m just finishing washing up Clarina’s son,” Kelni said. “But meanwhile, Faltir is about to drive me crazy here.”
“Forgive me,” he said, shifting his weight. “I’m merely anxious for their mother to spend some time with them.”
“Well, you’re going to have to wait just a few more minutes!” Kelni said exasperatedly.
Penephoni had not taken her eyes from Retessa’s children.
Orphaned not an hour after your births,
she thought silently. A single tear splashed from her cheek on to the swaddling of one of the children. She watched as it was absorbed into the material until all trace of its existence was gone.
“May the joy your little lives bring absorb the sorrow of the life lost today,” she whispered to them.
Kelni glanced at Faltir. “Two sets of twins born just minutes into New Year,” she said as she finished swaddling the boy. “A boy and girl each. How amazing is that, Pen?”
Penephoni did not answer as she found she could not remove her eyes from Retessa’s children.
“It is a sign of good fortune,” Faltir said. “Trust me, the blessing of The One is upon these children.” He picked up his two children. “May I please go now?”
“Yes, please, for all that is holy, get out of my nursery!” Kelni said smiling.
As he walked towards the door, he paused by Penephoni’s side. “Don’t allow tragedy to rob joy from the miracle that has taken place today,” he said quietly. “I am certain you did all you could. You know you cannot dwell on things that are out of your control. Besides, Doctor, you have other patients requiring your expertise.”
After he was gone, Kelni walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. The sudden touch snapped Penephoni back to the present.
“I need to talk with Elder Caenar,” she said, interrupting something Kelni was about to say. “I’ll be back in a bit. Laeona is in with Retessa, if you need her.” She then left the nursery, dizzied by a whirlwind of emotions.
***
Penephoni opened the door to the main entrance of the clinic and was surprised to see Caenar standing there with four other men. She could see Nevarra and Pelanna reflected in his eyes, and was reminded that it was a double full moon that night. He had wrapped himself in a dark gray night robe, and his short white curly hair was illumined in the moons’ light. As always, he leaned heavily upon his walking staff.
“We know,” he simply said.
“Oh, I figured you would still be down by the lake,” she said.
Caenar studied her face. “There are other events of importance which I believe require my attention,” he said. “All is well at the lake.”
She walked over to him as he and the other men watched silently. A hollowness had settled within her chest, and when she spoke her voice sounded as though it were coming from far away.
“Elder Caenar, I…” she began. She paused to steel herself, and looked into the old man’s eyes. “Caenar, I am sorry. I am not sure what happened. Retessa seemed perfectly fine, and then...” Her voice trailed off as she could not summon the courage to say what they already knew.
Caenar looked deeply into her eyes, and she was surprised to see a tear running down his cheek. “The tapestry is woven in a way that we cannot pretend to control, dear Penephoni,” he said in a strained voice. “The wheel continues to turn, and we are powerless to stop it. But tell me, did you happen to find anything odd on her or in her after she died?”
Penephoni looked hard at him, searching his eyes for secrets he could have been hiding. “Well, yes actually, I did,” she said slowly, extending her hand and dropping the crystalline orbs into his hand. “I have no idea what these are, but they fell out of her ears after…” Her voice faded away, as though she were afraid to say what had happened. “There was some kind of odd smoke too. I’ve never seen the likes of them before now. Do you think there’s some foul play involved?”
He looked down at the orbs and shook his head. “Do not trouble yourself, my dear,” he said. “I will look into this.” He closed his hand over the tiny objects and turned away. The group of men who were with him followed.
“All of the children are safe,” she called out. “They seem perfectly healthy and normal.”
Caenar stopped and turned his head to look at her. “They are anything but normal,” he said. “Bring Retessa’s children to my office in the Hall of Knowledge when they are ready.”
“Okay,” Penephoni said in a confused voice. She watched the men walk off until they rounded a corner. “But what about Retessa?” she asked softly. Sighing, she turned around and walked back in through the front door.
***
After a couple of hours had passed by, Penephoni dutifully carried Retessa’s two children, warmly and snuggly blanketed, in woven baskets to the Hall of Knowledge. It was now very late, a few hours into New Year, and despite the brightness of the full moons, things seemed dark to her. Regardless of what Faltir had said to her, the births of the children had been overshadowed by Retessa’s death, and the fact that it had happened on New Year seemed to mock the notion of celebrated new life. Everyone had gone back to their homes, and to Penephoni’s ears at least, the silence in the village was not one of rest and peace but of distress and apprehension.
The heaviness in her chest tightened as she stepped inside Caenar’s office. She saw the same group of five men gathered around, with the addition of Faltir, and she wondered why this group was there with her. Faltir was holding his new son and daughter, one cradled in each arm, and each was sleeping soundly. She noticed a proud look in his eyes as she walked up to Caenar’s desk, but she thought it an unusual pride, as though he were gloating about a victory. The men parted as she approached Caenar, and Faltir joined her on her left side.
“Here are Retessa’s children, Elder Caenar,” she said.
The old man looked at her. “Thank you for bringing them,” he said. “Penephoni, your husband was a much more vital part of this community than you will ever fully understand. His untimely death left us in a bind for quite awhile. He possessed great knowledge and understanding of deep things that was unsurpassed for someone of his youth. And I know that he trusted you wholeheartedly, often telling me of the great store of wisdom that you held, and I am sure you continue to hold. It is to this that I appeal now, and partly why I asked you here tonight.”
He paused as though he expected some form of response. Penephoni nodded and said, “Thank you, Elder Caenar,” though she did not understand what was happening.
Caenar smiled. “There are some things you must come to know,” he said, “common knowledge that was shared between the men in this room and your husband that will help define your role and purpose in this village. But I must insist that what we discuss here be kept secret from those not present in this room. Do you understand?”
Penephoni nodded again.