TCO: Chapter Twenty-Four

As soon as Jalena reached the outskirts of Solara, she contacted her father telepathically to describe the recent events. Syam immediately gathered the warriors who were available for Council.

Gyan and the other light warriors entered the temple Thesarei alongside Master Cahira, wearing their green warrior robes for the first time since arriving at Solara. Jalena and Shamira entered the council chamber minutes later followed closely by Malik.

The Celestine Thesarei was similar to the one at the Temple of Kya, but much more spacious. A larger version of the same round table sat in the middle of the room.

All the warriors present respectfully bowed to each other and recited the light warrior philosophy in unison.

"As above, so below…as within, so without…as the universe, so the soul."

Syam spoke as everyone sat down. "Light warrior sans, welcome to your first official council meeting. You know everyone here already, of course. Unfortunately, we have gathered this meeting to discuss an immediate circumstance that needs our attention. I will let Master Jalena and Master Shamira bring everyone up to date on recent events."

Jalena nodded to her father. "Master Shamira and I recently traveled to the Feyla Forest and discovered another light warrior living among the Divakae people."

Some of the warriors gasped.

"How is this possible?" Cahira asked. "The Libran did not reveal any more names for this age group other than those here." She gestured to Gyan and the other san warriors.

"Remember that the Libranreveals only information that is vital to know at specific times," responded Malik. "It works within the bounds of universal flow. If information is revealed too soon, it could very well interrupt the synchronicity of events. So, it is obvious that the revelation of this warrior wasn't meant to occur until now."

"His name is Tarak," Jalena continued. "Master Shamira and I returned recently to the forest a second time to persuade him to come to the temple and train, but he refused to leave the Divakae people, convinced they need his protection."

"Who was his mother?" asked Asia.

"We aren't sure," replied Jalena. "The village elders, as well as Tarak, were hesitant to reveal much information about her, but we know his birth mother is not who raised him as a child."

"Does he know of his abilities?" Jabari asked.

"It seems as if he is only aware of the abilities that are apparent to a light warrior when they first transform, but I do not think he is aware of the extent of his power yet. If he still refused to accompany us to the temple after we spoke with him today, Master Shamira and I would have petitioned the Council for permission to remain in the forest to train him further if Tarak desired it. However, when we arrived earlier today, the village had been raided by the Vaznaun."

Jabari and the other masters straightened in alarm.

"Mordán ordered this?" asked Jabari, an incredulous expression on his face.

"We are not certain," answered Syam. "It's possible that they were acting on their own accord."

"To make matters worse," Shamira added, "they captured Tarak."

At this news, Malik stood and began pacing the room, muttering. Gyan caught some of his words, recognizing them as those that had recently appeared in the Libran. "…fall to dark, to embrace the light…"

"We must retrieve him immediately," Syam said. "There is no predicting what Mordán may attempt to use him for."

Jalena turned to Asia. "We will need laborers and resources to be sent to the Divakae people. Many are severely shaken by what occurred today."

Asia nodded. She and Cahira rose immediately and left the Thesarei.

Aderes spoke up. "I wish to help…to go to Kraundor."

"San Aderes, there will be a time, I assure you, but now is not that time," Syam said in a low voice.

Gyan was sure that Syam was not fooled into believing that Aderes was purely interested in going to Kraundor to retrieve Tarak, but that Aderes's intentions were more aligned with rescuing his sister.

"Master Shamira, will you return to Feyla Forest with Master Asia and Master Cahira to assist the villagers? After you feel that things are stable, send for someone at the temple to see your return," said Syam.

Shamira nodded and left the council chamber.

"San Gyan and San Valora."

Gyan quickly looked up, startled to hear his name.

"I wish the two of you to accompany Master Jalena to Kraundor. The three of you are to free Tarak and bring him here to the temple. If circumstances allow it, we also need to gather any information about Mordán's influence on the attack of the Divakae village. Bridge the gates to the palace only if Tarak is in immediate danger or if he is unreachable. If he is within the palace walls and it is possible to contact him, attempt to telepathically guide him to the outskirts where there is less risk of being seen."

Syam turned to Jalena but paused to address the complaints that riddled the air when the rest of Gyan's team began to protest all at once that Gyan and Valora were leaving without them. "We have to do this as covertly as possible, but rest assured if greater intervention is needed, you will all be on stand-by to assist."

He addressed Jalena. "You remember the map of the palace grounds?"

She nodded once.

"You must leave immediately…and you must be as discreet as possible," Syam emphasized.

Jalena nodded again and indicated for Valora and Gyan to follow her. The remaining warriors were dismissed as well.

Malik caught up to the three warriors to grant additional insight as they made their way out of the Thesarei. "Jalena, on my last visit to Gawl Forest I found the entrance to the Ice Mountain prison cells. They are located south of the palace grounds, just off the main forest path. The path leading directly into the mountains is well hidden by surrounding brush, but you will know you are there when the brush becomes noticeably thicker directly south of the main path."

A short time later, Gyan was in his room packing a small bag with extra gear when Jalena showed up in the doorway.

"Master Jalena," greeted Gyan. "I thought I was to meet you and Valora in the courtyard."

"Yes, but then I remembered that neither of you had received your uniform."

"My uniform?" Gyan asked, confused. He looked down at his robes.

"Something different than your training gear," Jalena said. "This."

She tossed a bag onto Gyan's bed. "Enough training for now." Jalena smiled at him. "Time to go to work. Meet us out back after you change."

As Jalena left, Gyan unzipped the bag before him. The uniform was solid black. A black Lumsigne was embroidered into the front part of the uniform at the middle of the chest. The material of the outfit stretched tightly against Gyan's skin. It was thicker and more flexible than his training uniform. The short sleeves of the top part of the gear stopped just past Gyan's shoulders, exposing his muscular arms. He stooped to slide on his boots, and then stood to clasp a black arm band engraved with a silver Lumsigne around his bicep when Aderes walked into the room.

Aderes watched Gyan intently but did not speak as Gyan pulled on his black robe.

I know, Gyan told Aderes telepathically. If I find Lesiana, I will bring her back. He put a hand on Aderes's shoulder in reassurance before exiting the room.

***