Elevation of Mana Chapter 51 Judgement

“The forest is on fire.”  Those were Elaya's first words to me when she returned.  “A full quarter of the hunting and gathering areas are burning.   Larus and your father are desperately trying to do what they can to slow or stop the spread, but there is little to do, because the forest, is, on, fire.”

“Do you wish me to help?” I asked, not sure what else to offer.

“I wish you to explain why in the world you two were so determined to kill each other that you released such wanton destruction on our home!” she screamed angrily.

“He was trying to take the boys and Cala to the pool, to get them to drink,” I said as calmly as I could.

“And you didn't wait for help?  You didn't think that I, or one of the others would have done something?”

“You weren't there, and I did call for help.  I didn't think there would be enough time, and there nearly wasn't.”

She sat down.  “I like you boy, more than I like most, but this... We will gather in the morning, and we will decide what is to be done.”

I spent the night alone, save for a few guards she'd assigned.  Under the stars and moon I meditated, waiting, hoping that all would be well, but fearing it might not.  Ideas and theories ran through my mind, things I might do, but didn't.  I'd been in the right, and I knew it, there was no other answer.

As the sun rose many of the adults of our little tribe moved to the center o the village.  I looked about them, counting the faces of friends and family one by one, it was had to read some of them.  Of my parents my mother looked ready to slaughter everyone present at the drop of a pin, whereas father held her tight, trying to reign in her fury.  Larus looked sad, and worried.  My old friend Ninden locked eyes with me, along with some of the other boys, and nodded in support.  Auntie Atie looked worried as she saw me, standing beside an identical looking Isha.  Elaya just looked old, and tired.

There would be little of a trial here, as there were few laws.  Elaya would decide our fate, weighing it against the needs and desires of the rest of the group.  It could in theory be anything, but in practicality it really couldn't.  Too extreme a judgment would lead to riot and combat, too light of one would lead to our group splitting, something it was already in the process of doing.

“I have spoken to both of you already, but now you will tell all what happened,” the elder declared.  “Cala, you will begin.”

“He came from nowhere.  Rindal was just trying to lead us over to the old cave on a trip and Elian ran from the woods screaming and slinging spells.  We all know how they've hated each other forever, and he killed Rindal, murdered him in cold blood.  Rindal tried to protect me and the boys, but Elian wouldn't have it, and they ran off into the woods to fight, that's where he killed him,” the girl spat out, angrily, pointing and gesticulating the whole time.

“Elian, what do you say to this?” Elaya asked.

“When it became clear that Rindal had left with the boys and Cala I suspected where they might go.  I got Isha to send up an emergency flare to alert everyone to try and make him stop, but didn't have time and chased myself.  I tried to talk him down, tried to convince him to stop, but he wouldn't.  We fought, he died.”  My story was short and to the point, easy to tell, because it was true.

“Isha, did he do so?” the elder inquired, responding with a nod when the girl answered in the affirmative.

The other boys were called forth, each one in turn interviewed.  Most of them supported my version of events, stating that I'd tried to talk, tried to get Rindal to stand down.  A few though clearly fell on the side of the now dead boy, saying how he had been trying to help them before his death, how it was clearly me who was in the wrong.

Elaya said almost nothing, letting each of us have our turn.  Instead she sat back, watching, listening to the proceedings.  Once or twice she asked for clarification, but little more than that.  When all had spoken, only then did she raise her voice again.

“Elian, I would have the truth of this.  Who released the fire?”

I could lie.  Rindal was dead and nobody else was around to confirm or deny my story.  That said, nobody would believe it.  I used fire, and I used it well, everyone knew this.  Was this a test?  I wasn't sure, but regardless, I made my decision.

“I did,” I answered to a chorus of gasps and intakes of breath.

“Such destruction and danger cannot be ignored.  I appreciate that you did what you though right, and that you meant no evil, but a punishment must be leveled.”  From the corner of my eye I saw my father physically holding my mother in place, the latter looking like she was ready to foam at the mouth.

“You are banished,” Elaya declared.  From the side I heard Cala make a noise of victory under her breath.  “You shall not again return to this valley so long as I am elder here.  Neither of you.”

“Neither of you?” Cala asked, seemingly confused, but I understood.

“Did you think you would not be punished?  You were told the danger of that place, you were told that it would kill, and you still took so many of the children there to die by their own hands.  You too Cala, are banished, not to return.”  Her eyes fell back between the two of us.  “Due to the fact that Elian has his light, and his abilities, he will leave with the sunrise.  Though I shall show some mercy to young Cala, she will have a full phase of the moon to make arrangements.  Do any object?”

“You'd better believe I object,” mother shouted, teeth bared.

“Stop,” I said to her, since it looked like she might well leap in the older Elaya, and I'd seen how deadly her magic would be.  “We will talk.”

That mollified her only a bit, but she saw my face, and acquiesced.  I did not envy Elaya, for once I was gone, she'd have one very angry opposing force to deal with.  None others spoke though, keeping themselves to themselves.  Even if they weren't pleased with how things had gone, they could at least deal with it.  I could tell that Cala's family too was furious at their child being forced away.

When it was all done a few guards each followed Cala and myself.  I headed to my workshop, as I had so much to do and so little time to do it in.  My family followed me there.

“That whore, I'll rip her face off, I'll...”

“Enough mother.  I know you're angry, but fighting her like this doesn't help us.  You two, give us some privacy,” I addressed the two guards after stating my peace to mother.

“We were told to...” one of them began.

“I have already been banished.  I assure you that Elaya will do nothing if I break your legs and throw you across the village.  Also consider the chances that someone will heal you if I do,” I said, cutting him off.  I really wasn't in the mood to hear it.

The guards shared a concerned look, and then they backed off.  There was the choice they wanted to make, but there was also the smart choice.  I was rather happy they'd made the smart choice.

“Elian, we can break off to form a new village now,” Father offered.

“No, nobody will respect a village without an elder, and with all the turmoil you won't know who will side where.  I know you will, and when you do I want you to send for me, but for now I'll go.  I've kind of wanted to see Atal anyway.  It will be better for all of us I think.”  I gave my mother a hug, and she just watched me with big eyes.

“We can...” she tried again, only for me to shake my head.

“I love you mom, but this is for the best.  One day I'll return here, but not now.  Right now I need to get some of my tools and things put together.  I've got a long trip.”

“I'll get your things from the hut, and food, you'll need food,” there were tears in her eyes as she turned to leave, and I knew she'd prick the right things.

My father and I began going through my many, many tools.  I'd not gotten around to reinventing proper wheels yet, so most of what I was taking would be in a litter on my back.  Weight and size were a concern, as was the things that I would absolutely need, vs those that I just wanted.  It saddened me to leave so much behind, but I knew that others could use it for themselves, so I did.

In the afternoon Isha showed up, looking rather conflicted.

“You're actually leaving?' she asked.

“I think it's for the best.  Isha, there's a lot of things I couldn't tell you, and still can't, but I want you to know that I care about you.”  I gave her a kiss on the cheek, the closest thing I'd ever done with her.

“Where to?”

“Atal.  I told my parents to send for me when one of them becomes an elder and makes their own village, and I'd be happy if you joined us,” I told her honestly.

“Will you tell me the things you can't now if I do?” she asked, eyes questioning.

“Everything,” I answered without thinking.

“Everything?” she asked again, unbelieving.

“Yes, everything,” I said, this time with more conviction.  I wasn't sure how she'd respond, but if I met her again, I owed her at least the truth.

“I brought you this,” she said after a moment where we both contemplated in silence.  She held out a small bladder, the end tied off tightly.  “Honey, for your trip.”

“Thank you,” I answered a bit awkwardly.  “Anything out of the shop you want?”  I was leaving, and dad was getting most of my tools, but it seemed right to ask.

Now was her turn to be a bit off kilter.  She looked about for a moment before finally pointing to one of the many copper knives that I'd considered taking with me.  It was not quite the right size for me, but seemed just perfect for her, a simple blade with an intricately carved handle.  I passed it over, along with a small leather sheath.

“Be careful,” Isha urged me, giving me a light hug.  “Do you know where you're going?”

“Atal, seems like a good place to try.”

“Are you sure you're okay?”

“Don't worry, when you meet me next I'll be even cooler than I am now,” I answered, patting her back.

I ate dinner with my family, and we talked, and enjoyed out night.  A few more visitors came to see us, but not many.  There was a plan in motion already, and I was now ready for it.