TCO: Chapter Sixteen

"Although you may not feel like it entirely, you have each improved in your understanding of the Damsé," Jabari announced at the end of the first week's classes.

The san warriors stood before him, waiting to be assigned their new Damsé partners.

"As you become more familiar with your partner's energy and the process of this exercise, your understanding of how to adjust to different energies during the dance will improve, as I mentioned last week. Before new partners are assigned, however, I would like to ask if any of you have recognized a shift in your mental state while engaged in the Damsé."

The warriors looked at each other in confusion.

"What do you mean, Master?" San Brogan said.

"You will know what I mean when you feel it. Until then, keep practicing."

Gyan's next weekly partner was Hoshi. Hoshi and Gyan's families were close, so Hoshi had spent a lot of time following Aderes and Gyan around when they were children. Due to this, Gyan didn't feel that there would be anything profound or new to learn about her. Nevertheless, he was eager to see how her energy differed from Valora's when doing the Damsé.

After their group meditation with Master Asia that same day, the warriors continued their weekly routine and filed into Master Cahira's class once more.

"Last time we spoke, you were assigned to learn more about the Kingdom of Kraundor," Cahira said after the warriors were seated. "As I am sure you already know, Elder Master Zareb is from Kraundor, although he was raised in Yevani. The reason for his family's departure from the kingdom, as with many others, was due to Mordán's rule, which has extended for more than a decade now. His palace is in Androsa, the largest city in his kingdom.

"As a part of the campaign for his rule, Mordán shared his vision of equality and peace for all within the kingdom but deceived the people of Kraundor after they elected him as their leader. As he gained more power, the democracy that was promised diminished."

"Why haven't the light warriors removed him from his throne yet?" Aderes asked in irritation.

Gyan stared curiously at Aderes, who was clenching his jaw as he often did when trying to control his anger.

"Tell us your thoughts, San Aderes," replied Cahira. "Why do you think the Order has not attempted to overthrow Mordán's ruling?"

Aderes remained silent.

"I don't imagine it's as simple as that," Valora stated.

"Go on, San Valora," encouraged Cahira.

"Well, if Mordán convinced the people of Kraundor to elect him as a leader, he most likely still has followers that remain fooled by him, fear him, or agree with what he is doing."

"Very good. The Kingdom of Kraundor is very large, and Mordán's supporters inhabit a large portion of the population. Therefore, to infiltrate Androsa and demand that Mordán release his throne would risk drawing great opposition from all corners of the kingdom.

"As it is, the warriors do not operate in this manner. We honor the balance and process of all things, as you have been taught as often there are larger purposes involved that we do not understand. Therefore, temperance must be maintained when making decisions that influence multitudes of people. Even if we don't agree with how things are done, we still must respect what is unfolding. Of course, this does not mean that light warriors will refrain from attempts to thwart any injustices that occur in Kraundor. In the past, light warriors were involved in escorting families outside of Kraundor without Mordán's awareness. And I assure you, if Mordán attempts to extend his ruling or interferes in the lives of people living outside of his kingdom, the Order will not hesitate to intervene.

"Although there have been attempts from the people of Kraundor to oppose Mordán in the past, only a fraction of the population currently resists his ruling within his kingdom presently. Of course, if the majority of those living in the kingdom ever decide to oppose his rule, the light warriors will support them wholeheartedly. Until then, however, we will continue to assist those who wish to leave the kingdom at any time."

Aderes looked away. "A family should not have to leave their home to feel safe."

"Perhaps you are right, San Aderes, but some feel as if they do not have any choice but to leave if they wish to live a peaceful and happy life." Cahira watched Aderes closely for a moment before continuing. "Even if many Elsarians within the Kingdom of Kraundor joined the warriors in building a resistance against Mordán, tell us, San Aderes, why would Mordán still prove to be a challenge to overthrow?"

Aderes looked up slowly to meet Cahira's gaze, his face stony. Gyan, confused as to why Aderes was upset, watched him closely.

"He is also protected by the Vaznaun."

Cahira nodded. "Had anyone else here ever heard of the Vaznaun before I assigned the reading on Kraundor?"

"I have heard my dán speak of them, but never in detail," said Jarek.

The rest of the warriors shook their heads and turned to Aderes.

With his gaze still lowered, Aderes continued. "They are led by a group known in the community as the Brothers of Dark to outsiders. Any resistance that is brought against Mordán answers to them."

"Correct," said Cahira. "The Brothers of Dark are only one group of Kraundor soldiers, mostly consisting of Vaznaun that have chosen to do Mordán's dark biddings. Other Vaznaun, who are not part of the Brothers, do not oppose Mordán because of the contracts concerning where they live and what privileges they are allotted as a result that they have established with him."

"Many individuals in Alsar do not encounter Vaznaun, because the species do not generally travel far from their home. As you have read in the book I assigned, they are similar to you and I in shape but are generally larger in stature and are instinctively more ruthless. Their skin differs in that it is gray with blue markings and their eyes are naturally orange." She pointed to images of Vaznaun that appeared on the screens in the classroom.

"How did the Vaznaun come to join Mordán?" Hoshi asked.

"The larger part of the Vaznaun reside in the Ice Mountains of Kraundor," Cahira replied. "Since the species is conditioned to survive in harsh circumstances, the grave mountain weather did not interfere with their habitat until a series of avalanches forced many further down the mountains, near the outskirts of Androsa. Food sources became scarce for the Vaznaun long ago. As a result, the many have stolen food from the Kraundor farmers, terrorizing and killing without hesitation if ever opposed.

"Although the light warriors attempted to protect the people from the Vaznaun during the reign of Mistress Eshe, the elected leader of Kraundor before Mordán, their numbers were great, and they proved difficult to defeat. They are physically powerful, but do not have the superior abilities of a light warrior, which of course, served to our advantage. During Eshe's reign, we succeeded in driving the Vaznaun back into a portion of the mountains that had not been destroyed.

"It wasn't long after this, however, that we received report that Mistress Eshe had died in her sleep. Despite her age, her health was not in question. Naturally, the Order believes that Mordán had a hand in her death, for it was no secret that Mordán coveted the throne at the time.

"When Mordán took the throne a short time later, he proposed an agreement with the Vaznaun. Like most skilled in the art of deceit, Mordán would never offer something of value unless he had a motive that benefited him. In exchange for their loyalty and service to his throne, Mordán granted the Vaznaun a large portion of the land in the kingdom along with an abundance of food and supplies. It was during this time that he formed the Brothers of Dark. Having the loyalty of the Vaznaun ensures that Mordán has a powerful army. Because of Mordán's sovereignty, however, the Vaznaun population has doubled. They now inhabit much more of the kingdom than they did before."

Later in the day, the warriors gathered for their evening meal in an uncomfortable silence.

"How do you know so much about the Brothers?" Lorcan finally asked Aderes.

"Doesn't matter," Aderes mumbled.

"Well, it isn't going to do anything for strengthening the unity of the team if we keep secrets from each other," Jarek said.

"Some secrets are better left as such," replied Aderes.

"Jarek's right, Aderes," said Gyan quietly.

Aderes sighed. "My family is from Kraundor."

"I thought your family were farmers living on the outskirts of Yevani," said Hoshi in surprise.

Aderes shook his head.

"Did your family migrate to Yevani like Elder Master Zareb's?" asked Danika.

Aderes took a deep breath. "No. My dán became a leader in the resistance against Mordán when I was seven years old. For years after, my nán had always begged him to leave Kraundor with the light warriors when they came to guide more families away from the kingdom. But he refused and chose to remain in the kingdom to build a resistance against Mordán. He also felt responsible for other families in the kingdom that worked for him. Dán claimed the families relied on him, and that the land he worked hard to farm had been in our family for too many years to just leave it all to Mordán.

"When the raids began, our crops were stolen. We lost money and began to go hungry. Soon after, my younger sister, Lesiana, became sick. Despite my mother's repeated request to leave, my father, out of pride, still refused. So nán began packing up our things one day, determined to move back to Yevani. She…she never made it, though. Mordán had learned that my father was a leader in the resistance and sent an Androsan soldier and Vaznaun to our home. I was walking back from the groves near our home at the time. I tried to hur—" Aderes's voice faltered "—to hurry to them, but…" he swallowed hard, "…the Vaznaun had already killed them."

The entire group stared at Aderes in silence.

Gyan immediately placed a hand on Aderes's shoulder as he was overcome with sympathy. As with Jalena at their first encounter at the Tran Ceiabré, a soft blue glow emerged beneath his grip.

Aderes looked up at Gyan and took a deep breath, his expression relaxing as the calming effect took place.

"Sorry," Gyan said as he removed his hand from Aderes's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Aderes," stated Danika, her eyes full of tears.

All except Jarek looked at Gyan's glowing hand in surprise.

"That happens when you send calming energy to another in a moment of empathy," Jarek explained. "My dán told me after I saw him do the same for a crying woman at the temple one night."

Aderes gave Gyan a nod of gratitude.

"How did you make it to Yevani, Aderes?" Brogan asked.

"Elder Master Syam found me. He just came into our house and took me."

"Your parents didn't know you were a light warrior?" Brogan asked.

"No. Some of my physical abilities were beginning to show toward the end of my stay in Kraundor, but my eyes did not change until after I passed through the boundaries of Alsar. Elder Master Syam thought I suppressed my abilities instinctively until I was safely out of Mordán's grasp."

"I never knew any of this, Aderes. Why didn't you say anything?" Gyan asked.

Aderes shrugged. "Like I said, some things are better left unsaid. I didn't even speak to anyone until a year after it happened—when I met you, Gyan. But…." Aderes sat up straighter and drank the last of his tea before gathering up his food tray, "…that all is part of the past."

"Aderes…what happened to your sister?" asked Valora quietly. "Was she—?"

Aderes's face drained of color. ""No." They…took her." He looked away. "She is under Mordán's watch. Right before we left Yevani to come here to Solara, Elder Master Syam informed me that two men downtown in the market were overheard discussing Mordán's enslavement of girls in the kingdom. They said one had escaped and found her way to the Alsar borders."

"Was it Lesiana?" asked Danika.

"No, but Elder Master Syam took me to see the girl. She said that the girls were Mordán's servants. They are not harmed as long as they do what they are told. Lesiana is there…she is alive."

"Well, let's go get her," Brogan said, standing.

"Easy now, warrior," said Valora, rolling her eyes.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple," Aderes responded, repeating the words Syam had spoken to him in Yevani. "The girl who escaped said that Mordán has some way of making the girls want to be there. They do not feel enslaved. They are sometimes allowed to roam freely within Androsa but always return to Mordán's palace. The girl thought that Mordán is somehow using magic to make them want to stay, but the elder masters have not figured out how yet.

"I asked Master Cahira after class, and she said Sir Malik is the only star wizard left in the land, so I don't know how Mordán is using magic to control them. But, the girl from Kraundor also said that she saw her own grandmother in the market one day and suddenly remembered everything from the day Mordán took her, which was right before he killed her father."

"If it is magic or an elixir or whatever, then maybe the magic will disappear when Lesiana is near you," said Valora. "The girl was near her grandmother when she began to remember, so it might be the presence of a family member that unbinds the effect."

"I thought that as well," said Aderes, appearing more relaxed. "But, the elder masters thought it wasn't a good idea to attempt to retrieve her until they knew more information about the daily routine of the girls. If we just show up at his palace, demanding that he release all servants, the conflict could amplify or be used as an excuse to do more harm."

Brogan crossed his arms. "Well, when you get the approval to get her, Aderes, we'll be there to help you so don't forget who is by your side."