TBC: Chapter Thirty-One

The rest of the journey through the forest remained free of Vaznaun, and the party reached Velian late that evening. The city's design and flash offset the natural surroundings the group had just departed from as if the peaceful elements of nature had been pushed aside for noise and flamboyance. With its tall buildings and large sculptures, Velian seemed misplaced among the villages that spread through the forest. Hovercads and other sleek, modern vehicles zoomed past the outsiders without slowing, weaving in and out of expansive buildings made of colored glass and stone.

"We should find a place to rest and then try to see Lord Mohan tomorrow," Montán stated to the others. "I have a friend who will take in the horses. He will show us to a place where we can stay for the night."

The group sent messages of request to enter Lord Mohan's palace early the next morning but were repeatedly denied. However, with pressured insistence from Shamira and the Kolar elders, the party was finally permitted to enter the palace by the middle of the day. A Velian palace guard retrieved the group from their quarters in a nearby inn and led them to the iron gates of an enormous, white-stoned, and glass palace. The architecture of the palace appeared as sharp teeth jutted from its roof—with the top of each section extending to jagged points—making the palace appear intimidating and uninviting.

"I find it interesting that Lord Mohan has increased the number of troops around his walls but still sends word to the Order that he remains neutral in response to Mordán's actions and does not fear attack," Shamira said as she observed the guards on the palace grounds.

"Indeed," responded Nolas.

The group was led into a long hallway and up to a set of tall white doors. Two brown stone statues carved of giant men in hooded cloaks carrying large spears stood on opposite sides of the doorway. The doors slid inward and the group advanced into a large room with a white marble floor. Thick, blue drapes adorned the large, stained-glassed windows along the walls. A row of guards stood at attention, facing the center from opposite sides of the room.

Lord Mohan—a tall, broad-shouldered man—with a potbelly to compliment his white eyebrows and graying hair—sat in a royal blue, cushioned high-back chair behind a desk at the far end of the room. On his head sat a simple copper and amber browband, which matched the thick, amber-adorned robe that rested across his shoulders. A large rectangular brown, black, and white flag hung behind Mohan on the wall bearing the Crest of Uthar—two crescent moons facing opposite directions separated by an equally cut cross, enclosed in a circle.

Before the group had covered the full distance to Mohan, he spoke. "It has been a long time since the great Shen-Montán of Kolar and any of the Light Order visited my city," he said as he surveyed the warriors before him. "My city may not be surrounded by thick walls, but none enter without my knowledge."

Each in the party gave their customary greetings as they stood before Mohan.

"You have done very well in keeping balance within your kingdom, Lord Mohan," Shamira stated. "Because of your leadership skill, you have not needed the assistance of the Order."

Mohan eyed Shamira and the others with tired eyes. "Then your presence here would mean that you now believe otherwise, Master Shamira?"

Shamira remained silent.

"If your acknowledgment of my ability to lead is true, then there is no reason to doubt that my knowledge of how to run a kingdom will not have the same success in the future."

"The present time is not as it was before, Lord Mohan," Montán stated. "We must adjust our actions in light of new circumstances. Old actions do not align with new shifts in energy."

"Do not proceed to tell me how to run my kingdom, Shen-Montán," Mohan said with a flash of irritation. "I have given all the outlanders and forest dwellers freedom to live as they wish. My lands are abundant, and my city is wealthy."

Montán made to reply, but Ardúl held up a hand. He shuffled closer to the edge of the platform where Mohan's desk sat, the beads hanging along his chest clinking softly. Two guards standing nearby quickly moved and crossed spears in front of Ardúl.

Lord Mohan put up a hand to his guards. "There is no need. If I felt threatened by this group, I would have made them leave their weapons outside."

The guards lowered their spears and moved back to their respective positions.

"Shen-Ardúl," Lord Mohan stated.

Not a sound or movement was made as Ardul's presence filled the entire room. Thick silence settled within the room as Ardúl studied Mohan with his wise, old eyes.

"Lord Mohan, you have lived many years to see the shifts of this kingdom expand into more. Abundant are your lands and healthy are your people. However, your belief in the well-being of your kingdom is not pure. You make promises to your people that you do not believe. Doubt and fear cloud your heart. When the mind and heart are not aligned, your words fail to carry power and wisdom."

Mohan waved his hand in dismissal of Ardúl's words. "You may possess the wisdom of a thousand ancestors as your people claim, Shen-Ardúl, but I have different beliefs—different customs. I believe that Lord Mordán will spare the people of Uthar, even the tribes in the forest if I compromise with him on what he wishes for the land in Uthar."

Nolas, Sufina, and Nikan cried in protest at the same time. Ardúl shook his head sadly and returned to his place beside the others.

"You are mistaken!" Nikan stated in exasperation. "He will grant the forest land to the Vaznaun! He has already allowed raids on the villages in the forest to transpire."

"They have killed many already!" Sufina added.

Lord Mohan's face reddened as his temper rose. He slammed his hands on the desk before him. "Your rebellious antics are what have drawn the savages in for a fight! You have only yourself to blame! The Vaznaun sought permission from me to search the forests for natural resources. Had you not killed many of their kind, they would not be seeking retaliation!"

"That is not what happened—" Sufina began.

Tarak placed a hand on her arm. "Mordán's heart is swallowed in desire for power, Lord Mohan," Tarak said, his deep voice cutting through the room. "You should not trust his word. We have seen what his people will do to those weaker in power than he."

Mohan stared at Tarak with interest but ignored his statements. "The Vaznaun light warrior…You are already well spoken of. However, in carrying the blood of both sides, I wonder where your own loyalties lie and if you can be trusted in stating your opposition to Mordán."

Tarak's gaze hardened as he stared at Mohan, but did not reply.

Aderes stepped forward. "I will attest to his loyalty."

Mohan glanced in Aderes's direction but ignored his statement.

"I have seen many battles, Lord Mohan," Ardúl continued, "many more than you. I know what the taste for war does to those who are buried by darkness. If you respect my voice as an elder of these lands, you will heed my warning that Lord Mordán is one such man. What Master Tarak states holds true. You cannot believe in the promises of a man whose heart is ruled by shadow."

"I honor your voice, Shen-Ardúl, but there is nothing I can do even if what you speak is true." Mohan sighed. "My armies are neither strong enough in number nor power to withstand an attack from both the Nardan and Androsan armies."

"You will not be alone," Master Shamira stated. "The units of Alsar will assist and unite with the spear warriors with your armies."

"If I resist it will only bring death to the people of Velian," Mohan said with a note of finality. "It is my decision."

"Death has arrived at your door, whether you resist or not," Aderes stated.

Mohan cast Aderes a look of impatience. "All of you are dismissed."

The group turned to leave as Sufina remained still, her eyes on the floor.

Tarak placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let's go, Sufina."

Sufina's eyes flashed red. She quickly pulled her bow and readied an arrow, aiming it directly between Lord Mohan's eyes. A red glow seeped from beneath the marking on her forehead.

Lord Mohan's guards moved to defend their sire but were held frozen by the pointed threat of two glowing gladaés. The rest of the warriors remained alert and watchful as the guards in the room stood ready to attack at Mohan's command.

"Sufina, what are you doing?" Nikan stated as he guarded himself against the soldiers in the room, his long blade held ready across his body.

"Why have you increased the troops guarding your walls and hallways, but leave none to surround the city and protect your people?" Sufina asked.

A silence fell across the room as the warriors waited for a response.

"If you have no desire to protect your people, then you should die for them in exchange for the slaughter that will become of your land. Your sacrifice is the only way your soul can be free." Sufina's eyes suddenly shone a bright red light and her voice took on a deeper tone that seemed to travel the walls and echo throughout the room. "I have seen the binds in your soul, Mohan. They are also apparent to Shen-Ardúl."

Ardúl stared unwaveringly at Mohan, not discounting Sufina's statement.

Mohan raised his eyebrows as he gazed at Sufina. "What is your name?"

"I am Soma of the Divakae."

"Soma of Fire, I should correct," Mohan said.

Several of the guards laughed nervously.

"You are very young to carry such power, Soma. Yet, I do not have to remind you again that your customs are not my own, so your beliefs do not carry weight here."

"Core principles of life energy apply to all," she replied as the red light in her eyes slowly dimmed. "They do not need belief to be real."

"Even with your magic, it is not up to you or anyone to state what is to become of my soul," Mohan replied. "But, I will answer your question…I have increased protection around the palace, young Soma, because I am well aware that my decision to remain neutral in the issue with Mordán has not gathered me popular support from the surrounding villages, such as your own. Therefore, it is a natural consequence that I increase protection from the rebels in my land that wish my death," his eyes dropped to her bow, "such as yourself."

Sufina blinked and the light around her markings vanished. She lowered her bow. "We cannot help you then, Lord Mohan. If you fear attacks from your own people, then you are already defeated."

"You…help me?" He smirked and raised his eyebrows in question. "You came to me for assistance."

"No," said Sufina boldly. "We came to free you. Yet, those who refuse the message of the heart cannot be freed."

Mohan's smirk turned to a frown as he watched the visitors turn and make their way down the long marble floor and move out of sight beyond the white doors.

***