Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2003 21:32:33 -0700 (PDT)
From: Corrinne S <quasito_cat@yahoo.com>
Subject: Dark Wishes Installment 31: Part 5 Chapter 4

How monotonous, to constantly say the same thing.
This is the ongoing sequel to Dark Wishes, both
copyrighted under Nifty and International Common Law.


Unspoken Wishes

M.C. Gordon

Part One: Markel

Chapter Four

     Iashain had been industrious during his short
time in the mortal world.  He located a portion of the
old fortress castle that remained partially intact, a
corner of the old kitchen.  He tested his magic by
using it to remove portions of the fallen walls and
arranging them to create a windbreak on the northern
side of the room.  Not wanting to tax his magic
further, he located clover and sweet grasses under the
snow and covered the floor with them.  Dried grasses
were blown against the southern wall and he placed a
portion of them in the hearth.  A simple wish brought
forth a comforting fire that would last for days if he
so desired.

     He knew that Tynan would eventually return to the
old site of Qell power and decided to bide his time
searching through the ruins for anything that would
kindle memories of the ancient lords.  As he stood
among some of the fallen stones he could sense
powerful magic, lingering after eons of time.  Closing
his eyes, he could see the ancient Qell as they leaned
against a fireplace or laughed at a whispered word
from one who was greatly loved.

     Apart from the main castle was another building,
also in ruin.  He sensed that this had once been a
place of great power and learning.  Calling forth
memories that were his, and yet not his, he knew that
this had once been the great, unrivaled archive of
Aolane.

     A large covey of quail launched themselves in
fear when he trod on a twig and it snapped loudly
beneath his foot.  Iashain took quick count of their
number, noting how many were female, and decided there
were enough quail that one or two could spared for a
meal.  The existence of one covey meant there were
others.  Likewise, along the eastern most fallen wall
he discovered a rabbit warren.  Knowing the rate at
which the animals multiplied he knew that he and his
brother Qell would have enough meat, if they were
frugal, to carry them through the winter.

     The great herb gardens of the ancient cooks still
existed, although they were in sad need of drastic
pruning.  Iashain pinched off only enough rosemary to
season the two male conies he had chosen for the
evening meal, leaving the rest to be tended when the
winter would come to an end.

 . . .

     Tynan woke early the next morning.  Iashain's
fire still warmed the small shelter and Tynan found an
old pot, still useable, and put snow in it to melt.
When the snow had turned to water he added shredded
bits of tree bark and began to brew a strong drink
that would sharpen the senses.  It would be
sufficient, but bitter, and he wondered if the tea
bushes of Endril still survived.  He thought he would
probably prefer a cup of hot tea in the early
mornings.

     When the brew was prepared he crossed the small
room to waken his companions.  He chuckled to himself
when he realized that Markel was almost buried beneath
Iashain's body ... only the top of his wild red hair
visible.  Iashain's long black hair covered the young
man's face and upper body, their legs apparently
twined together.

     "Rise, brother," he called to Iashain.

     The Qell slowly rolled to his back and stretched.
 The sky had cleared during the night and rays from
the early morning sun caught the violet-blue cast of
great silver eyes as they opened.  Iashain threw back
the cloak which had served as a blanket the night
before, revealing the nudity of himself and the young
man beside him.  He rose gracefully from his bed on
the grass covered floor and began to dress in breeches
and tunic.  Markel, still sleeping, protested the loss
of warmth and Iashain quickly placed the cloak across
his body.

     "I see you both survived the night," Tynan said
as he poured Iashain a cup of bitter brew.

     "Meaning we did not freeze to death?" Iashain
responded with one black eyebrow arched.

     "Meaning that I had to put my fingers in my
ears," Tynan answered.  "I am sure that any living
souls in all of Elanen were aware of what passed
between the two of you."

     Iashain laughed in response.  "What do I care
what all of Elanen thinks?" he responded.  "It is time
they knew the Qell have returned. And I am thinking
that they will need more than fingers in their ears
when you find the one you will take as lover, my
brother."

     "Heed my words," Tynan said, "Markel has a gentle
heart which can be easily hurt.  He is also quick of
mind and eager to learn and serve.  I will cut your
throat myself if you cause him pain."

     "Put your blade away," Iashain said although
Tynan had no weapon at hand.  "It was not alone
Markel's body that brought me joy last night.  I am
aware of his mind and soul.  I sense in him the same
spirit that resided in the ancient lovers.  I choose
him as my lover until such time when he may tire of
me.  Always will I give him what love I can, treat him
with greatest respect, and hold him above any who may
follow him."

     Tynan accepted the statement for he felt the
depth of his brother lord's emotion and honesty.
Markel was beginning to show signs of wakening so
Tynan turned to Iashain and said, "I must go and tend
to the horses," leaving the two alone in the light of
day following the first night of passion either of
them had known.

   . . .

     "Where must we begin?" Tynan asked Markel as they
sat that afternoon enjoying the quail Iashain had
roasted on a spit in the old fireplace.  "So much has
been lost through time."

     "Not alone was time to blame," Markel said as he
remembered the tales of the old forest grandmothers.
"The weather turned ill for many centuries and there
were times of drought and famine.  Floods destroyed
croplands.  There were years when the summers did not
melt the ice and snow.  Plagues swept across the
kingdoms and the healers could do nothing as thousands
died.  Kingdoms fought against each other for what bit
of nurturing land could be found.  Game animals were
hunted to extinction or began to hide where men could
not find them.  Fewer children were born, and many did
not survive infancy because of illness or
deformation."

     "Then our first task is to take an accounting of
the population of Elanen, human and animal," Tynan
said.  "We must seek out small habitations and let
them know that we have returned to aid them.  It is
imperative that we locate all of the seed corn that
remains and take it under our own control.  The land
around Aolane was once fertile and should be so now
after lying fallow for so many years."

     "And if the people object?" Iashain asked.

     "The deepest dungeons of Aolane once contained
treasure amassed by the ancient Qell over eight
hundred years," Tynan responded.  "Trelaine never
passed that knowledge on before he returned from the
world of mankind.  Our combined magic should be able
to locate that ancient King treasure.  We will pay for
the seed corn and grain."

     "And of what good is gold or jewels to a starving
family if you take their grain?" Markel timidly asked.

     "One man may have a small herd of goats and agree
to sell one for a piece of gold.  With that coin he
can purchase a blanket of wool from a man who has a
sheep." Tynan responded.

     "And," Iashain added, "once the grain comes to
harvest it will be given out freely to all.  Each
small village will be represented at the harvest to
claim what is due."

 . . .

     Through the days and nights of the winter they
talked and made their plans.  Elanen must be fed.
Occupation must be found that would result in gain of
coin or barter.  Tynan spoke with Perinel and gained
agreement from the stallion that his harem would
provide strong colts to pull the plows of man through
the grain fields if the Qell would once again train
others to carry warriors, if needed, for it was their
heritage and that for which they had been bred.

     "Can you read?" Iashain suddenly asked Markel one
night after they had spent their passion.

     "Can I do what?"

     "Read.  Look at words and know what they mean?"

     "I know the legends my grandmothers told me,"
Markel replied, "but I have never seen words.  Should
I know this?  Is it magic?"

     "Nay, love," Iashain said.  "It is knowledge, not
magic.  To read is to be able to know every thought
that was ever put down in word.  This place was once
the center of all knowledge.  Great works of
mathematics and philosophy once existed here.  Every
illness known was documented, along with the means to
treat them.  If a man or woman took flight of
imagination and thought to put it into word, it was
found here in Aolane.  Music once filled these ruined
halls."

     "I am sorry that I cannot read," Markel said as
he began to sob for his lack of knowledge.

     "Do not cry, my beloved," Iashain said
soothingly.  "The fault is not yours if such knowledge
no longer exists.  Through the rest of the winter,
until Tynan and I can begin to heal Elanen, I will
teach you to read."

     "You will have to write something for him to
read," Tynan remarked.  "I have not found one piece of
written word within these remains."

     "But you have," Iashain replied, "for the
courtyard contains six names inscribed in stone."

To be continued.

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