Part 12 (1/2)

Chaneen met her sister's eyes and saw doubt, but also great courage. Janier's boast to Kratine had not been an idle one.

'Whatever my Lord wishes,' Chaneen said.

Rankar nodded. 'Go my children, and see to the progress of our scouts. I will discuss this matter further with Chaneen this evening.'

Chaneen found Rankar later in the night, strolling alone by the pool of waters in the center of their palace. His light was grave and thoughtful, and she walked by his side without speaking. It was a clear night; the stars shone bright above their heads without twinkling.

'Kratine is very old, Chaneen,' Rankar said at last. 'As old as his land. Did you know that?'

'So I have heard, my Lord.'

'What did you think of his form?'

'A clever disguise,' Chaneen said. 'But I saw no reason for it since we all knew what it was.'

'Kratine would do nothing without a reason.' Rankar knelt at the edge of the pool. The surrounding pillars rose straight above their heads, creating in their ceiling a wide-open window into the heavens. Rankar set the reflecting stars in the pool dancing with a touch of his hand in the water. Chaneen folded her gown about her knees and sat leaning against his side. He continued, 'And you say disguise, my wife. I wonder if it wasn't more than that, if it was not an ancient memory being relived. Have you not also heard that the Asurians were once different in shape? That they were once like us?'

'It is difficult to imagine,' Chaneen said.

'Nevertheless, it is true.'

'How did they change so?'

'We are at our beginning,' Rankar said. 'They are at their end. Perhaps it is for them as it will be for us.'

Chaneen shuddered. I would not wish it so.'

Rankar shook his head. 'Kratine does not wish to face his end. He fears it greatly, and I find that strange. The Asurians have had many cycles to learn what was their right, and still they are not content. They want more time. They want our land.'

'Would they try again to take it from us?'

Rankar sighed. 'You heard him. He is full of deceit. He would destroy us if he could.'

Chaneen was disappointed. She had hoped, in spite of her own feelings, that Kratine was sincere. 'Does he have the strength to destroy us?' she asked.

'He lost many in the last war. But Asurians breed rapidly, as we do not. I believe that if there is another war, both sides will be so hurt that neither will be able to survive as a people.'

'Then he won't attack. He would be foolish to try.'

'If his own doom is certain, Kratine will attack just to bring us down with him.'

Chaneen closed her eyes briefly. 'I cannot see that.'

Rankar looked to the sky. 'What concerns me more is the hidden course he might adopt. One that would destroy us - as he surely intends - and leave his own people unharmed. In our talk with him he may have made an error and given us a clue as to his true designs. He said, ”And I feel at ease with those I leave behind, knowing that above all else you would take no action that would harm your own children.”'

I do not understand,' Chaneen said.

'Kratine would try to turn our strength into weakness. He knows he cannot attack us directly with hope of success, as he has proven to himself in the past at great loss. But perhaps he has devised a plan whereby he can come at us from within.'

'How could he do such a thing?'

'He asked for Tier and Janier.'

Chaneen felt a chill, the same cold she had felt that evening while looking in Kratine's eyes. 'But they are ours,' she protested.

Rankar took her hands in his. 'They are ours now. But should they go to Asure, they may become otherwise.'

'What are you saying?' Chaneen cried.

Rankar let go of her and slipped his hands into the waters again. I only suspect, I do not know. Kratine's thoughts are difficult to fathom, but he is always shrewd. He plays on my desire to understand. He asks for Tier and Janier. He promises he will give an intimate look into Asurian ways. He tempts me with dangerous bait. But he knows that whatever fate Janier and Tier meet in Asure, we would be unable to destroy them when they returned - should their destruction prove necessary.'

Chaneen moaned. 'Why would we have to destroy them, my Lord? Would he change them?'

I do not know how or in which manner. But, yes, that is what I think he has planned.'

Chaneen shook her head, overwhelmed. 'Could he have given us his clue intentionally?'

'Perhaps,' Rankar said.

'But we must be certain. If he did want us to know these things, then his motives must be complex. Can't you penetrate his thoughts from within?'

'Not from here. Outside his domain, Kratine is like a shadow that gives off no light. It has always been that way.'

Chaneen pointed to the pool. 'Invoke the G.o.ds, then, and ask for their guidance. They will help us.'

Rankar nodded. 'Yes, we will have an invocation tonight. But not to seek guidance. I have already come to my decision. Tonight's invocation will be for the purpose of instruction. You must learn the secret of how to bring the fire.'

Chaneen was filled with anguish. 'Your decision? What is it, my Lord? Why do I need to know the secret of the fire?'

'I am going to return with Kratine to Asure.'

'No you cannot go. You say Kratine is filled with deceit. If you're harmed all the children will be swept away.'

'Would you have me send Tier or your sister?'

'No! None should go. We need not befooled by Kratine's wicked invitation. Surely you see that, my Lord?'

I cannot see what I do not understand. We cannot go your way.

Chaneen. Eventually, as Kratine's land fails further, he will be forced to attack, and we will all perish. Or he will try to ruin us in another manner, which will probably be through the corruption of our own children. No, I must discover the secret of his design and prepare a defense against it. Your sister and her husband can't do this. Only lean do this. I must go to Asure.'

'Send me instead, my Lord.'

'No. I cannot risk you.'

'But I cannot risk you,' she cried.