Day 17

Ranger woke Fiona. They had travelled directly to mount Jeku and it had been a hard ride.

The morning air was crisp and cold. First light caused everything it touched to freeze.

“We are here.” Ranger said.

Fiona looked around. Here was a big mountain. One they now had to walk up on foot.

“I expected something different.” Fiona said disappointed.

“What were you were expecting?” Ranger asked.

“A town, people?” she answered.

“There is a town called Little Jeku, but it is the mountain we need. On top is where the crystals will go.”

“It’s so big I cannot even see the top, it’s hidden in the clouds.” Fiona squinted at it.

She took a deep breath. Stretched and yawned.

“Let’s do this.” She said.

They took what they needed in bags and started the hike. It was rough. But once Ranger started to follow some old heat signatures, they found a path to walk on.

“Where are we going?” Fiona asked as the path was not very direct nor was it going up.

“I can see someone. They are hiding from us.” He answered.

Ranger followed the person and the path they had walked on. It led to a stone door in the mountain. Ranger pushed it open.

Fiona drooled at his strength.

Inside Fiona could see nothing but Ranger could see everything. Lots of people were hiding in the mountain and they lived there.

“Keep quiet and hold my hand. Just follow me.” He told Fiona.

They walked until they found plants that lit up a whole room. The people in the room where surprised to see them and dropped what they were holding.

Then one yelled,

“We are under attack! We have been discovered.”

“Peace be with you; I am not a foe.” Ranger comforted.

But no one cared what he had to say. Armed men approached with spears and swords.

“I am Ranger, a Mystic Healer. This is Fiona my betrothed.” He tried to explain to the armed men.

A very old man come out. His long beard was grey, his hair was grey but his eyes were lilac with blue flames going towards the center.

“You are a Viden.” Ranger said.

“Yes, we all are. How did you find us?” he asked.

“It was by accident. I followed the path.” He answered.

“This man nor woman mean us any harm.” The old man told the men.

“Come with me, have some tea.” He gestured them to follow him.

“I am Yonten.” He told them.

They followed him into a big office. A desk and a lamp and lots of glowing stuff created light.

“Why are you in a mountain?” Ranger asked sitting down.

“Because we are safe here. In one thousand years, we have not had a visitor nor an attack. You are our first visitor. We have had people come and go. But we elders are kept safe here to guard the knowledge and truth of our world and more.”

An old woman came in.

“This is my wife Juliza. Our granddaughter is around here somewhere… This is Ranger and his betrothed Fiona. She is not a Mystic Healer.” He informed.

“I see that.” She put the tea on the table.

Yonten and his wife assessed the danger level of their guests. While engaging in pleasant conversation. Once it was established that Ranger and Fiona meant them no harm they asked if they could have their knowledge.

“I have to be honest with you first about a few things. We are here to open the sugs and Fiona is from Earth. That’s why she has said nothing. She doesn’t speak our languages.”

“Earth?” Juliza pondered.

“I remember earth. They spoke many strange languages and they were band from the other worlds for being war mongers.” She changed to an old Egyptian that Fiona couldn’t understand.

“How do you communicate with her?” Yonten asked.

“We have developed a link. I no longer have to intentionally link with her.”

“Ask her if I may have her knowledge?” Juliza asked.

Ranger asked Fiona.

“She would like to kiss you so she can have your knowledge. Communicate with you and see your intentions.” Ranger explained.

“No. I am not kissing a woman.” She objected.

“May her husband kiss you?” he asked.

“Why are you ok with someone else kissing me?” Fiona asked.

“They are Viden. A kiss and emotions are meaningless to them.” He answered.

“One quick kiss from the husband and if he lingers, I will hit him.”

‘Gross, I am about to kiss a very, very old man’ she thought.

Ranger told them that Yonten may kiss Fiona and he has to be quick about it. Earthlings put high value on kisses. Well, some do and Fiona was sometimes one of them.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Yonten kissed Fiona. It was over so quickly she hardly had a chance to be grossed out. He kissed his wife. They looked understandingly at one another.

“The queen’s replacement is an important detail you left out.” He said to Ranger.

Ranger nodded, “It was not my secret to tell. Now you know everything Fiona knows. You know her sister is here and about the earthlings that are trapped here. Will you help us?” Ranger asked.

“Why do you think I can help you?” Yonten asked.

“If you cannot then what use does all your knowledge really have?” Ranger asked.

Yonten smiled.

“This man is clever. We can help you.”

He went to the wall were a map hung.

“These are the places the crystals were hidden.” He pointed to the places. “The village Fish, one is here with us, Mount Jeku. There is another in the city of gold. It’s common name to the queen is Castellum. They have a crystal. The city was supposedly destroyed. Burned with fire and all who live their turned to ash. But it is alive and well.”

He touched the mountain Nikki was leading them to. Fiona was pleased that they were on the right track.

“When was the last time you got information about this crystal?” Ranger asked.

“Fifty years ago.” Yonten replied.

“That’s a long time. Something could have happened to it.” Fiona said.

“Fifty years is no time at all.” He assured.

“How old are you?” Fiona asked.

“One thousand and eleven years.” He replied.

“What!” Fiona couldn’t hide her shock.

‘His bones should even be gone by now.’ She thought.

“How are you still alive?” Fiona asked.

“I live here. Protected from the outside world, from its diseases, injuries, and murderous ways.” He said almost proudly.

“How many grandchildren do you have?” Fiona asked him.

“Thirty-three including their children.”

Ranger spoke up.

“Can you show us how we are meant to place the crystals and where so we can open the sugs?” Ranger asked them.

When Fiona spoke, he understood but when they spoke English, he didn’t understand so it was like listening to someone talking on the phone.

Juliza called for her granddaughter.

A pretty girl came into the room. She had delicate features that were beautifully proportioned. Her lilac eyes completed her face. She looked like a work of art rather than a living being.

“I am here Grandmother.”

Juliza introduced them.

“This is Jagvi, my granddaughter.” Juliza looked at her granddaughter

“This is Ranger a mystic healer and Fiona his betrothed who is not a mystic healer.”

Then Juliza kissed Jagvi.

“It is nice to meet you.” Jagvi greeted in English.

Even her voice was lovely.

“Fighter pilot, you are brave. Facing the queen even braver. I see why Ranger has chosen you even though he will be shunned and scorned.” She said “You have beautiful hair. We do not have hair like you here in Chayim.”

‘and she’s nice.’ Fiona thought.

Juliza stopped her complementary grandchild. She explained what she needed her to do. Fetch the crystal, take them to the top of the mountain. Uncover the crystal placement structures and help them set up.

“It’s a three hour walk to where we need to go. Do you have enough food and water?” Jagvi asked Ranger and Fiona.

Ranger and Fiona were then invited to stay with them until their friends arrived with the crystals. But they required them to keep the secret council of the Viden’s secret. None of their friends would be allowed to stay or even visit.

They walked up the mountain and found the places for the crystals.

“Why are you helping us? Why did your family just give us the crystal?” Ranger asked.

Jagvi smiled.

“We were only holding it until someone came to fetch it. We don’t shape history we only guard it. If this goes bad you will be remembered and recorded as the people involved in making the bad things happen.”

Her answer of we will not be held responsible made sense.

“Why was Keimoni shunned?” he asked next.

“He was emotional. We are trained from birth to control and even stop having emotions. Living by feelings is what causes most of the problems the other tribes experience. Keimoni just couldn’t control his. He made bad emotional choices.”

Jagvi placed the crystal.

“Now when the others get here you will be able to send the earthlings home.”

“Are you going to send the queen a Viden now that you know the truth?” Ranger asked.

“The council will decide. I have no say in it.” Jagvi answered.

“What do you do?”

“I am a warrior. I protect the members of my family. If we are discovered or attacked. I am to take the collective knowledge of the world to all Viden. Ensuring that the truth is never lost.”

“So, you fight and you know everything?” Ranger asked.

“Yes. I train with the male guards. One woman from every council member’s family is chosen to protect them and if they should perish then we are to flee with the knowledge we have and ensure it survives.”

“Why a woman?” Ranger asked.

“Because it would be unexpected. In our world women seldom have a say or even a place other than at her bond mate’s feet. So, if someone wanted to destroy the knowledge of this world or prevent a truth from being known. Killing the men would be their aim. After all only men are sent to advise the royals and leaders in their tribes. No woman has even been sent to advise. Therefore, we have a chance of getting the truth out there before it is lost.” Jagvi answered.

“Clever and progressive for an emotionless people.” Ranger reasoned.

“Our emotions are what requires us to have a place, be noticed, be loved and even have importance. When that doesn’t matter you can be objective and see what others can’t and prepare when others won’t, because their pride would be hurt. Here everyone earns a place, man or woman. We abide by the traditions of the tribes when with them as not to bring trouble for ourselves. It would be unnecessary for us to try and help others be ‘as you call it progressive’. We are keepers of knowledge not world shapers.”

“I think the queen would like a female advisor.” Ranger said.

“The council will decide if they send someone and whom.” Jagvi replied.

Fiona didn’t want to feel threatened by how pretty the girl was but she did. Even her smile was radiant and there was nothing but perfection about her. Her body looked sculped to perfection not reality. As if the artist didn’t care what was normal or possible, he made someone no one could live up to but they would want to.

So other than her perfect outside she was nice. No malice or nastiness just a pleasant person.

As Fiona watched the silk haired phenomenon talk to Ranger, she found herself looking for some floor. A bug in her teeth or split ends in her hair. Even a gesture that would put her proximity to close to Ranger’s, but there was nothing. Just a nice girl in the body of perfection.

“So how old are you?” Fiona asked hoping she was old. Then hoping not as that would make her the hottest old person ever.

“I am twenty-seven cycles, I mean years.” Jagvi answered.

“We are done. We can return and wait for your friends.” Jagvi said.

They followed her back to the secret council in the mountain.

A meeting was in session when they got back. They were discussing whether or not they should send a Viden to the queen.

Tẽra had no idea that Keimoni had not been sent. That he had decided that he would take an opportunity and become the most valuable Viden in the world. Sitting with the queen.

Thanks to Fiona they now knew that Keimoni was advising Tẽra the fake queen, who was the one pursuing peace. They had information that the real queen was in the dungeon of her own castle. But since this information was told to Fiona and not seen they took it as hearsay and not fact. Only experiences witnessed were considered reliable. They knew people lie and just because they believed it didn’t make it true.

Finally, they made a decision. They would send Aleem. He was a reliable man in his forties who had served faithfully to lord Box before he died. The information gathered by him proved valuable.

Fiona was called into the council. Yonten spoke to her.

“If your queen Tẽra is discovered, what do you think will happen?”

“A few know she is not the queen. Like Spice and Hodge, even Autumn and they have said nothing. I believe people will protect Tẽra and if someone finds out, and they want to use that knowledge to harm her. Joe will kill them.” Fiona answered.

“This Joe is a dangerous woman. Why do you believe she will protect the queen?”

“It’s a simple exchanged. Joe gets to live in the castle with access to anything she wants as long as Tẽra is queen. Tẽra is also our best hope of finding a way home. So maybe also self-preservation.” Fiona answered.

“Do you trust Joe?” he asked.

“No. But I trust her to protect herself and her interests. Also, the child she has with her. Ummm…. Roz, no Roslee, no.”

Fiona thought hard “Rosaleighm.”

“She will protect those she cares about. I think she does care about Tẽra.” Fiona concluded.

“You believe that if Tẽra is exposed, those around her will protect her even though she is not the rightful queen?”

“Yes.” Fiona answered.

“Tẽra is not the outdoors kind. But she is liked because she is fair and she doesn’t make rash decisions. She truly cares about people and she has proved herself to be stronger than anyone expected.”

Fiona wondered why they were asking so many questions.

“If you expose the queen, you will cause thousands of deaths. All the tribes she freed will fight for her. She freed the Lovac tribe and even though they have bad attitudes they always help her when she asks.” Fiona said giving a friendly warning.

“We are not going to expose her. But I see she has inspired loyalty even in you. Maybe we should attend the peace talks.”

Fiona started laughing.

“Do you not remember where Drake’s parents are. The rulers of the Dragon Riders are confined to their room. Tẽra will not be bullied. You will need a better reason than ‘we didn’t trust you’ to get a seat at her table. She has stood up to them all and she still stands. Your only chance is if you go there with gifts. Have a story about a long journey and be helpful and respectful. She is royalty even on earth. She has airs and graces.” Fiona told them.

“What gift should we take?” he asked.

“You are serious about arriving late for peace talks? Doesn’t inspire that you want peace when your late?” Fiona reminded.

“What gift?” Yonten asked.

“She like animals a lot. She has food, wine, silver, gold and clothes. If you want to get her attention maybe a price horse or a pet dragon or something. Something she can love, something cute preferable, no spines or smelly organs. No heads from her enemies.” Fiona shrugged.

Yonten pondered what Fiona had said.

He thanked Fiona and she was taken to a lovely dining room.

“Food will be ready soon.” Jagvi told her.

Ranger had been waiting with Jagvi.

Yonten and the other decided that they were going to send a delegation to the new queen. Three men to represent them and they chose Ariv, Gyani, and Nuvesh. They would leave in the morning.

Nuvesh was their warrior.

“I had to explain to a whole group of old men with big white beards that Tẽra has people’s support and they will defend her. I think the lack of emotion makes them stupid sometimes. Like thinking they can show up late for the peace talks and still get welcomed.” Fiona told Ranger.

Dinner was served. There were different dining rooms for different bloodlines and then for those not related to a council member. The table Fiona and Ranger sat at was with Yonten, Juliza and Jagvi.

It was only five of them at the table.

Fiona was given a room to sleep in and Ranger was given a different room. They were shown where they could bath.

A communal bath for the women and a different one for the men.

It was heated by a hot spring. Water would bubble up from the bottom and flow over the sides into drains that led the water out of the mountain and into their crop fields.

Fiona didn’t like public baths. She felt it lacked hygiene. A public bath where many people clean themselves in the same water was definitely on Fiona gross list.

Using the shower at gym or after work was different as each person got their own cubical. A big bath was less private and unhygienic.

Fiona bathed quickly. She then went and found Ranger.

“I want to return to the castle tomorrow. When the other’s return with their crystals we can all come together. With Tẽra and her horse. I feel we can be more helpful there.” Fiona told Ranger.

Ranger and Fiona agreed to return to the castle in the morning. They would travel with the Viden who intended to join the peace talks.