Selindra Grey: The Chronicles of Mattias

By Douglas Roff

About The Book

 

The seventh book of the Chronicles of Mattias.

The war against the Xeneid immortal invaders has come to a stalemate. Mattias and his family and army return to peace and await news of Xeneid movements as the Kingdom of Somna is now fully occupied by the Xeneids dealing harshly with the Somnan immortals. 

Potera of Baestra and her sisters are now living in Kir Oasis training for the eventual showdown in the Eternum Wars. While Prince Xerxes and Lord Seth remain in Somna as guests of the Xeneid invaders. 

As things begin to change, Mattias decides it's time to visit the Wastelands of the Bestianari, trying to understand why they allied with the Xeneids in the Battle of Anderra. 

Puzzled, and against the wishes of his family, he sets off for the Wastelands with a small group including Potera and her sisters. They first make for the City of Baestra to find Potera's mother and remaining family to get them to safety ahead of the Xeneid secret police.

There they find Prince Xerxes and Lord Seth in hiding and on the run. 

Or are they?

The small party led by Mattias makes their way north to the mountains and then west through the forests above the Wastelands, encountering eyes following them. They eventually are guided to the edge of cliffs barring entry into a valley kingdom.

Guided inside through lit tunnels by strange new pagans never before met, they encounter old friends they do not recognize.

These new friends know Mattias and his children, but Mattias doesn't recognize them. 

The mystery is solved. The Eternum Wars will finally end.

Will the gods now let Mattias rest?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Douglas Roff
• Release date: Jul 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223483915

Douglas Roff

Douglas Roff is a retired corporate executive. He has lived around the world working in various capacities for government and industry.  Doug has written twenty-seven novels to date, mostly in the paranormal and fantasy genres, but not exclusively.  He currently resides in Latin America, speaks Spanish, and is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.  

Book preview

Prologue

Years had gone by since the Battle of Anderra, and while much had changed in the west, the one thing that had not changed was the increased presence of the Xeneid immortals in Somna. As time went by, and more Xeneids arrived from the old country, the native Somnan immortals continued to be displaced.

After the Battle of Anderra was over, Potera of Baestra and her sister immortals returned to Somna to spy for Mattias, and to organize the resistance against the Xeneid occupation.

Though originally successful in recruiting, as the Xeneid presence ramped up and the new Xeneid security directorate began its activities in the cities and towns, native Somnans began emigrating elsewhere. Due to the pervasive presence of the security directorate, many spy recruits had been rooted out from their spy cells and put to death. Many others fled their homes just ahead of the secret police. Most made for the border with Brujon and into warlock territory, while others first fled north to the mountains, then east to Terra Mixtum. Those fleeing to Brujon were given temporary shelter, then strongly encouraged to quickly continue moving east to the lands held by Mattias Denson, King of the Seven Realms, and the Frijian army.

The warlocks were uneasy with their new neighbors in Somna and wanted to reduce tensions and not create any provocations. Every Somnan fleeing the Xeneids kept walking east into Terra Mixtum. There they eventually made the trek to Anderra to beg the favor of Lord Mattias whenever he was in residence, and the Frijian military if he wasn't. As his attention was naturally focused on the Xeneid threat, Mattias was happy to welcome the new settlers and allow them to live within his borders if they agreed to abide by the Covenant and Charter of Rights. As native Somnans, that was no barrier at all.

Potera and her sister spies were, however, a different story. When they were finally brought in from the cold, they were immediately taken to Mattias at the Kir Oasis. They had not spent much time before in Kir and, when not staying at the lodge at Kir, preferred to live instead in Tor Luz. At first Potera could not believe anyone still lived in tents at the Oasis, but eventually she let go of her prejudices and arrogance and began to interact with pagans and Lesti women as women and sisters rather than lesser, menial factions.

Potera and her fellow immortals did not want to take part in daily life, nor to meet and interact with the very women who welcomed them in safety. They wanted Lesti and pagan servants; none volunteered.

Potera’s eventual revelation of sisterhood began with Mattias, who took her and her sisters one day to the thermals for a full round of pampering, followed by a massage at the hands of Lesti maidens. They saw Lesti warriors and pagan women there to take the waters and, of course, the Bjerne who were there to be bathed and brushed.

Once Potera was comfortable in Kir around the other factions, it was easier for Potera’s sisters to engage in the experiment too. Within a month, all the immortals wondered what they had ever been concerned about. Though culturally different as immortals, Lesti and pagans, they were still all women, and had much more in common than anything that separated them.

There had been peace in the Seven Realms for years, and the Xeneids, though still posing a danger in Mattias’s eyes, had remained in their newly conquered lands and made no effort to either make war on him or anyone else. They seemed content to fill up their new lands with Xeneid colonists to cement their total domination of Somna.

This raised concerns with the generals in Frijia who thought that Mattias was giving the enemy too much time to consolidate their hold over Somna and root out opposition. As Mattias thought little of the opposition, those arguments fell flat with him. He did see the greater point, but it also allowed Mattias to absorb his eastern and western lands and reorganize the Realms into military districts where components of the standing army could be stationed in anticipation of war or insurrection. He quietly began the construction of roads to move troops quickly anywhere, but especially west to the only potential hot zone left, the Brujon border.

In the aftermath of the Battle of Anderra, Mattias returned to Kir with his family, who continued to live at the Oasis, or in the Frijian capital, or in Dar Galan. Zephyr and Miriam moved to Kir with him, though they detested tent life, and were mostly quartered in a newly constructed second lodge. In the most surprising move of all, Alana Q moved to the Oasis rather than returning to the Mountain Refuge, then promptly moved into Mattias’s tent. She taught school as she had before, tended to the young ones, and was with Mattias for story time every night. Mattias’s wives resided with him as usual, though some resided with the immortals in the new lodge, and later, in a third lodge constructed for his family. If there was something more than friendship going on between the queen and Lord Mattias, no one spoke of it, not even her daughters.

Potera herself had resided briefly with her sister warrior immortals in their own tents and were surprisingly willing to forgo luxury for a time. They were not infrequent guests at the palaces in Dar Galan and Tor Luz, even after lodges were constructed for them. She and her sisters trained with the Lesti, and although they made progress and were decent recruits, they showed little advanced aptitude for war skills or leadership abilities. They preferred spying as it used the skills about which the immortal women of Somna were most comfortable: guile and deception.

At about the five-year mark, Mattias decided that it was time to make a journey into the belly of the beast to visit Somna on his way to his real quarry, the Wastelands of the Bestianari. He had made every effort to find more information about them, but had come up dry. The Somnans had never really had much contact with the Bestianari and knew almost nothing about their numbers, their culture, their political organization, or their laws. Since none really knew, he wondered how the Xeneids made contact, who with, and what had been discussed or decided. Mattias had no reason to believe that there had to be hostilities between the kingdoms, so he decided that a personal visit was the only way to break the ice.

Everyone who knew of Mattias’s plans was opposed to them.

Inga, who had returned and re-established herself as a wife, and who was still one of his most influential advisors, saw no reason for Mattias to go anywhere, but especially since he was contemplating traveling alone.

I’ll go with someone, but maybe not the most powerful among us. I want to appear to all I meet as friendly and willing to talk. Traveling with an army, which is what you suggest, might make me marginally safer, but would be a diplomatic disaster. I’m really not in any danger.

Inga replied, "What you mean is that you’re not in any danger that you know of. But you go to Xeneid lands then to unknown territory. You have no idea who or what awaits you in the Wastelands."

They hardly seem powerful to me, and they only inhabit territory that no one else wants. They’re called Wastelands for a reason. Bogs, marshes, swamps and jungles filled with fetid water, death and disease. Rot and decay is all that awaits you there.

Granted, so I see no reason for you or us to want them as allies.

Agreed, but I also see no need to treat them as enemies.

They tried to kill you; to kill us. Maybe that’s a clue to their mindset and intentions.

I’m not convinced. I want to go there first and see this place for myself. Then maybe we’ll have new friends.

Or you’ll be dead and we’ll never see you again. If you go, take an army.

I’d prefer you to come with me.

We’ve had another son, and we have a daughter on the way. My place is here in Kir, and I’m retired permanently from war and conflict. While it seems exciting, I’m exhausted just being a mom. No more adventures; I’m staying home. You should too. You’re not getting any younger yourself, mister. Send Ronja and Aurelius; they seem bored without warlocks to chase. Both of them are talking about settling down too, so you better hurry before they do.

They won’t. They know it’s only a matter of time until we fight the Xeneids. They can’t wait.

You’re still planning to go to the Wastelands alone?

Nope. I have one intrepid soul who wishes to come with me.

Eir?

Her? No. She’s settled in another camp with her Lesti companions. I think she may retire, just not to raise children.

Inga asked, She’s had another child. No one knows who the father is. Any guesses?

Her business, not mine. I’m just happy she’s not causing headaches.

Who is it then? Who’s going with you?

Potera. Potera and two of her sisters, the real ones, not immortals from their sisterhood.

"What say the jealousy sisters, Zephyr and Miriam, about this plan?"

Unhappy, but with no chance of ever joining the expedition. They hate tents, and are not even wild about the lodge. No, they’ll do anything I ask except roughing it. That’s where they draw the line.

Babies and prima donnas from the Mountain Refuge.

We should not judge them by our standards. I thought there would be more comradery between the women of the Mountain Refuge and Somna, but there isn’t.

They compete for your attention. Zephyr and Miriam claim you by prior right.

What’s that?

They slept with you first. And they hate sharing you with other immortals.

I don’t bed the Somnans often. They seem to enjoy the Lesti much more.

I doubt that’s the issue. Face it, papa, they’re in love. They want to stand out and protect their turf. Potera is a wild card. While she doesn’t seem to be all that interested in you, nor are the other immortal women, Zephyr still doesn’t trust them or their intentions toward you.

She can come with me then. If she doesn’t, I’ll make it up to her when I come back.

How long will you be gone?

Six months. Maybe less.

The small party, led by Mattias Denson and Potera of Baestra, left in early spring just after dawn one morning.

They left with Bjerne mounts and made for the fortified City of Baestra. They thought they departed alone; they did not.

The party moved through Boria and Rus-land without incident. Rus-land, once wild and dangerous, was now pacified, its cities rebuilt, its children in school and learning, and women with new rights. Led by the women of the Rus, they quickly took advantage of their new rights, dumping their masters and finding new men with who would see them as whole people, not baby-makers or whores. The transition was not without its challenges, but eventually the people of Rus got there. New pagans swept into the Rus territory looking for opportunity. The new men and women quickly gained leadership roles, initially causing some discord, but later making peace with the old guard.

The warlords of old were now gone; those who survived the occasional reprisal for old grievances had to change with the times. Slaving was gone as a profession, but the old trade still reared its ugly head from time to time.

Old habits die hard, or so they say, and the warlords who couldn’t give up the easy money that was slavery were eventually found and dealt with. Mattias prescribed only one punishment for anyone engaged in any aspect of the trade: death.

Rus-land these days was peaceful and progressing; even the Seafarers had left the territory, though no one was sure where they went.

From Rus-land, the party made its way into Terra Mixtum and the Kingdom of Anderra, intending to stay on the southern route until they arrived in Brujon. They would keep south until they arrived at the border with Somna, the principal kingdom in the Eternal Lands. Then they would turn north journeying by secret paths into Somna and make directly for the regional commercial center of Baestra in the far north, Potera’s home along with her three younger sisters.

Mattias had wanted to avoid going to Anderra, not because he didn’t want to visit; he did. But the city had become a regional crossroads for travelers, spies and ne’er-do-wells. Mattias wanted to travel in secret for as long as he could, less for his safety than for that of his companions. But Potera and the girls wanted to stop and hear the news before moving on, and the women considered themselves totally safe if in the king’s company.

If you’re with me, you’re safe. If you decide to explore on your own, that could be a problem. If we stop in Anderra, stay close, and don’t chat up any strangers for any reason. The place is rotten with spies these days and you never know who is friend or foe. They say children are now being employed to overhear conversations.

"People know who you are, who we are, papa. Let’s not fool ourselves into believing no one will recognize us. Everyone will, and the people wish to honor you. They love their king."

Mattias smiled, "Yes, well, some more than others. And if by ‘honoring’ me they mean a lovely meal or an immense banquet, then I’m all for it. But when we stopped in Rus-land the Lesti maidens were, how should I say this, demanding of service. I wasn’t sure we were leaving there alive."

Simcha, one of the immortal warriors, laughed.

It’s your own fault, papa. You made the pact with the Lesti. They know their rights; you taught them how to read. You said you would assist them in family planning. You made an oath, which we all know, you would never break. If they need family planning, then you should lend a hand.

Tarya, another immortal warrior, smiled, Sister, it’s not his hand they want to borrow. And I must say I am ever surprised at how insistent the Lesti are these days, pure or Bjure. They used to be so easy to understand, but now the pure Lesti are as aggressive as the Bjure with papa to make babies. I don’t understand it.

The world is changing. We must change with it, said Mattias. And I need to stop at fewer towns along the way.

We’ll keep you on schedule, papa. But to do such complicated computations, and to manage such delicate affairs, requires compensation. Relevant and appropriate compensation.

Now what?

Papa, don’t be that way. We have a long way to go, and we need to know we can depend on you.

Is this where I say yes, and learn later what I agreed to?

This is how we know you love us, papa. You understand us.

I’m not complaining.

They stayed in Anderra longer than expected, but largely due to the number of Somnan immortals who wanted to meet and discuss settlement issues. It took time, and there were a few important matters to resolve, but after a month, they were once again on their way.

They followed the northern route along the border until they reached a friendly warlock city not far from Baestra. There had been little contact between the Xeneids and the warlocks, but that dialogue was beginning to pick up. The Xeneids pointed to a long and successful relationship between the immortal and warlock kingdoms, while they pointed out the foolishness of dealing with pagans, especially Mattias Denson.

They have murdered countless wiccan, destroyed ancient kingdoms and committed genocidal atrocities against your kind. Yet you parley with them and allow them to cross freely into your lands. They are the enemy; we have never harmed or betrayed you. Consider carefully who are your friends and who are your enemies. There’s only one clear answer.

Mattias never trusted the wiccan, especially the warlocks, though he was certain they understood that he would do to the rest of Brujon what his army had once done to Mord if they caused any problems for him or his allies. Mattias was not sure what he wanted to do with Brujon; Ronja wanted to finish the job and her brother Aurelius was in agreement.

They should leave, or we should go to war with them. There’s no avoiding the inevitable. It’s bad enough we have to deal with arrogant immortals; we have no need to tolerate the wiccan and their arrogance. The immortals may become reliable allies, but not the warlocks. Say the word, papa, and we’ll march west.

Mattias had been reluctant to entertain war, but with new intelligence that the Xeneids and Wiccans of Brujon were negotiating an alliance, he realized that his children were correct. He would deal with the issue when they returned, and sent a Raven to his daughter to prepare war plans.

Coordinate with Inga, but do not include her in the war council. Go find Eir and tell her to report to Kir ASAP to participate in creating the strategy.

She’s been mostly unavailable these days.

Track her down and deliver my message. If she isn’t in camp within two weeks, send out the Bjerne to find her, arrest her and then hang her.

She’s not yet given birth. You can’t hang her; the gods forbid it.

I should have dealt with that problem before I left. If she disobeys me this time, the gods have not forbidden punishment. The question is how can I persuade her?

Ronja said, If you can’t hang her, hang her Lesti companions. She’ll change her mind right quick.

Wait until I return. This is between me and her.

Yes, papa.

The party crossed into Somna and made straight for Baestra. Mattias wasn’t committed to this strategy; the girls wanted to go home for a visit before pushing on. Mattias was concerned that the city was now filled to the brim with Xeneids; there was not only a small army detachment but the place was generously complemented with secret police.

I don’t know how we get past the guards at the city gate.

We have a dozen ways in and out. Before our father became respectable, he was a smuggler. Mostly luxury goods, but also weapons and occasional dissidents.

Your father was political?

No, he was practical. He was motivated by gold, nothing else.

Is he still in Baestra?

In a manner of speaking, yes.

Can I meet him?

Probably not. My family lives there, as does my mother. My father and brothers are dead. Recall that they sold me to a warlock.

"I take it you didn’t forgive them?"

No; rather, I made amends. They’ll not sell any other to anyone ever again, warlock or pagan.

Mattias inched his way over to Potera’s sister immortals.

She scares me.

She should. But she also loves you. You’re safe for now.

The journey from the Brujon side of the border to Baestra was a three-day journey; these days the plains surrounding the stronghold city were not as quiet as in past times. With all the displacement of native Somnans taking place, some parts of the kingdom were becoming less and less safe. This was previously unheard of in any part of the Eternal Lands as travel had always been safe. There was little crime in Somna and none of what little there was occurred on the pathways connecting cities, towns and farms.

The kingdom may have been many things, not all being good, but a dangerous crime ridden land it was not. The party was made aware of the changes in safety resulting from robbers and thieves. The party traveled at a normal pace, although the presence of Bjerne as mounts, who had never been seen before in Somna, brought unwanted attention to them. Travelers on the roads being ever more suspect as brigands, the party stayed off the main roads whenever they could, and camped by themselves well out of sight.

On the first night in Somna, Mattias was huddled with Potera and the immortal warrior girls around the campfire trying to stay warm on a chilly night. Mattias had a large blanket which enveloped him and Potera; she snuggled close for warmth.

Papa?

Yes?

Aren’t you at least going to invite them to camp? They’re not lighting a fire, not to avoid being seen by highwaymen, but by us. We know they’re out there. Why are we acting this way?

What way is that?

Ignoring your children when we could all be together and safe. This makes no sense.

Perhaps my admonition to remain home in camp, and not to come along on this expedition, has something to do with it. They shouldn’t be here; I should ignore them. Perhaps they’ll turn around and leave if we ignore them a little longer.

Papa, that’s crazy. Someone was always going to be coming along with us. The family decided that long ago. It was only a matter of how many and who.

I don’t recall having a vote.

You don’t get a vote. But we all decided that if Aurelius and Ronja wanted to join us, they would have the full support of our family.

We?

Don’t act so surprised. As immortals, the family is quite happy to include us in these matters. Besides, since the moment we were awarded privileges, we’re now officially family.

I see. So going alone was never the plan.

No, papa. It would be too dangerous, and besides, Aurelius made the case that he and his sister needed more diplomatic training. This is an excellent opportunity to expand their education in diplomacy. I’m sure you agree.

Yes, of course. I would, if not too much trouble, like to be informed of these developments in the future. In advance.

We told you just now. So, should I call them?

Might as well.

Potera whistled three short bursts and waited. A whistle could be heard off in the distance in reply.

They’re on the way. And that’s a good thing. Things will be getting worse the closer we get to Baestra.

We need to figure out how to get inside the city. I don’t look like an immortal, and you’re all wanted women. I don’t think we can hide the Bjerne.

Leave it to us. We’ll get us in, out, and keep us hidden. At least for a few days while we say hello to mother and see how everyone is doing. We won’t stay long.

Your family?

We’ll see my mother, my sisters, my aunt and some cousins. They were with me before; I’m informed that after I left, the secret police showed up. I’m not sure what happened then.

We have a way in? The tunnels you mentioned? Are they still safe?

We have underground storage rooms we used to hide smuggled goods; now they’re empty. The Bjerne will be safe there, and we can have a place to stay at night. The secret police are everywhere; they crash in doors in the middle of the night just to keep the populace on edge and frightened. It’s random, so we aren’t safe even in the family home.

The Xeneids haven’t seized your estate yet.

A special dispensation from Admiral Melchior.

How do you know any of this?

Lord Xerxes and his father, Lord Seth. Seth sends messages to Xerxes in Baestra from PuraVida. Those messages, if important enough, are smuggled to Brujon, then to Anderra. From there they come to me.

Was I aware of all this?

Yes. As was everyone else, including Miseria and Eimear. I’m in touch with Miseria most days, as she understands the spy business best, and with Eimear whose counsel is greatly appreciated. She’s learned a lot about how the Xeneid immortals think and how we may be able to use that to our advantage. Her advice has been very useful.

I’m surprised she didn’t invite herself along.

She’s pregnant again, and wants to return to Kir and live there. So does Miseria. Neither want to visit the Wastelands. I can’t say I disagree. I doubt this expedition will be very much fun.

Maybe, but I think there may be surprises in store.

Maybe.

Aurelius.

Hello, father.

Ronja.

Hi, papa. Fancy meeting you here. You were invited for a visit too?

"I think I was the one issuing the invitations; I don’t recall inviting you."

Papa! Don’t be prickly. We’re here; it doesn’t matter now, does it? Aren’t you happy to see us? Isn’t that what really matters?

"I am ashamed, daughter. Potera says I should count my blessings every day rather than look for imperfection in others. She thinks I’m shamefully hard on everyone, but far too unforgiving of those closest to me."

She’s right, said Aurelius. You expect us to be role models of appropriate behavior. But we’re not perfect, and that’s the norm in the real world; perfection is an aspiration for us all. If we do our best, try and fail, that’s how we all should live every day. That’s why we need each other; we need others who love us to help us find our way. Together.

Immortal advice?

Family advice. Even better. You should listen to your friend ...

And her immortal warrior sisters ...

Yes, and her sisters, said Aurelius, smiling. They’re very thoughtful.

They favor you, is that it?

And if they did, I wouldn’t mind. But we need to get going, father. There’s trouble in Baestra, and we need to act fast. The city is in chaos; the secret police are raiding every household looking for spies. I’m afraid Narti, Potera’s mother, her sisters, her aunt and cousins are now fugitives. They made for the tunnels, but are worried they’ll soon be found. We need to get them out of town and on their way back to Anderra where they’ll be safe.

Then we’ll turn back, said Mattias. Maybe we should move through the night. Time is short.

Potera said, "My mother will turn back; not us. We will carry on. The Bjerne will guide them home along with ... Tarya. She will not journey past Baestra."

Mattias was puzzled.

Tarya?

I can’t go any further, papa, I just wanted to come this far.

Are you well, my love?

Papa, I’m better than that. I’m pregnant.

How did I not sense you? I should have known right away.

Immortal skills. I’m sorry papa, but we were afraid you wouldn’t leave if you knew I carried your child. Do you feel her now?

I do. I do. She’s beautiful, like her mother. You hid my child from me. That was not very nice.

I know, I know, said Tarya. But if I had said I was with child, you would not have left Kir, and you would not have let me come with you. I wanted to come this far to help, however I can. And I wanted to see my mother and give her the news with you. I wanted it to be a surprise.

She paused.

Surprise!

Mattias smiled, thinking it was so very Tarya; the girl was full of life, perennially happy and smiling, but still excited about everyday events as if everything in the world was brand new, and yet to be discovered or experienced. She was pure joy and irrepressible. He could not help but feel her joy and her excitement.

Tarya said, She’s brilliant, like her dad. Papa, she’s very special, don’t you feel it?

I feel her heart, and she knows the love of her parents. I know that too. She’s a miracle.

Listen, papa, she’s talking. Talking to your children, all of them, and is being welcomed into the family. She’s overjoyed at coming into the world. She sends her love.

Immortals and their secrets ...

Aurelius said, Father, you mean women in love with you and their secrets. You’re blessed; don’t complain.

I am chastened, son. I am, indeed, a fortunate man.

When the party arrived at the rendezvous point, the underground warehouse, they didn’t stay long. The secret police were closing in on the entire tunnel system beneath Baestra, and Somnan immortals were being rounded up and executed. They had barely arrived when they had to leave. Introductions were short and formal.

Tarya’s mother, now with Potera's family, had never met Mattias, and was surprised when she met him. So was Potera's mother, Narti.

Narti, a short, slight woman with piercing brown eyes, looked Mattias over as if he was about to go on auction to the highest bidder.

You’re tall, I’ll give you that. And a big man; no doubt you get your way a lot.

Not as much as one might imagine. I am not an autocrat, or if I am, I’m not very good at it. My women run my life, for good or ill.

Tarya's mother, Lina, spoke up, And how do you explain this? This blessing?

I’m pretty sure we all understand how it happened. Immortals are born, not hatched.

Lina smiled.

I mean how is this possible? We are immortal folk; you are pagan folk. Seeding an immortal is simply not possible by any pagan, king or not.

"And yet, here we are. How do you explain that?"

Either my daughter is not an immortal, or you’re not a pagan.

Doctrinaire thinking. Clearly it is possible unless ...

No, you’re not. I’ve lived a very long time, and I sense every immortal in my life. I sense you, but not as an immortal.

Then what?

Something else. I don’t know what you are.

Your new son-in-law?

Seems so. Welcome to the family. Now, let’s go. They want to hang me and Narti. I’m not ready to meet my ancestors quite yet.

In the room waiting to be evacuated with the others in Potera’s family were two surprises.

Lord Seth and Lord Xerxes.

Chapter 1

Mattias was not surprised, You intend to go back east? To Brujon?

Nope, said Seth. "We intend to join your party and visit the Wastelands. It seems as though we've both been found out in PuraVida, and have worn out our welcome here in Somna. There’s new management in the establishment and we’re no longer deemed useful. There was only ever one end for us in the Eternal Lands under the heel of the Xeneid; now we must flee or meet our end here and now. We were hoping to journey with you."

Why would I ever agree to that?

We’ve been to the Wastelands; we know much more about the kingdom now that we did not know before. We can help you.

I’m sure we can do just fine on our own. If you found your way there, so can we. You add little to our expedition. And we have no idea what lies you’ve already spoken to the Bestianari. We could be walking into a trap.

We’ve been to the capital city of the Asanazi, the fabled city of Asan; we know the royal family, said Xerxes, as the conversation intensified. We’ve met, albeit briefly. They’ve shown us the fastest safest paths to travel, though we are tasked with never revealing what we know to outsiders.

Convenient. So, we need you?

Seth said, We relate facts; you decide what they mean, since you obviously don’t trust me. Xerxes and I can guide you; if you wish to go your own way, we’ll take our leave and go on our way.

If I don’t believe you, I’ll kill you and that will be that. You’re either going with us, or no further than this camp. In the morning you’ll either be having first meal with us, or you’ll be dead. Keep talking; as it stands, I’m inclined to think I don’t need you.

There are many routes into the Wastelands, though almost all take you into dangerous lands filled with wild Bestianari settlements. Very dangerous. But there is a realm, a very large and hidden kingdom, deep within the Wasteland where the rulers of the Confederated Kingdoms of the Asan reside in peace and harmony.

Seth continued, "But there is only one safe way to enter the Kingdom of Asan. We found our way into the kingdom the hard way, after many attacks and loss of companions; we left by safe paths guided by Asanazi scouts and warriors. We were invited back on one condition."

Which was?

"That we return to Somna ... with you."

With me? Why?

Unknown, Mattias. They were quite knowledgeable about you, your wives, children, mates and the Covenant. Perhaps your reputation precedes you.

But how? Are they not isolated? I’ve never heard of them.

They’re very isolated. And they have no commerce with the outside world. I have no idea how they know about you and the Covenant, but they do. They say they’re most anxious to meet you – again.

Again? I don’t recall the first time. Do you know when and where?

I do not. And as far as any have discussed with me, the Asanazi royals have only recently returned to Asan after being away for a very long time. How long I don’t know, but their return has caused some ripples among the Asanazi elite. There is some discord among a few families and clans, but the royals have returned with powers and abilities that make them unassailable. The other clans and families have quieted down and have accepted the new Asan royal rule.

The royals are called the Asan?

"Yes, but all the clans together are called Asanazi, including the royals. Asan is the name of the kingdom. But the Asanazi as a people are divided by custom and culture, united by blood, religion and language. They are all one people. The kingdom has eight confederated lesser kingdoms and one independent kingdom, the Nubili. Technically, the Nubili are a part of the Kingdom of Asan, though they’re later arrivals who were allowed to remain within safe borders. These folks are left alone; there is little interaction between the Nubili on one hand, and the Asanazi or the Bestianari on the other. They keep to themselves."

The royals are called the Asan, the capital city is called Asan, and the kingdom is also called Asan. Is that right?

Yes.

"If any of this is true, you may be of some help. I warn you again, though. Lie and you will certainly die this time. Take care with your words and make sure they are true, and nothing is left out. You’re famous, Seth, for what you don’t say. Omit things I need to know and I will end you right quick."

Understood. But I see no point to you wandering around the Wastelands seeking to find the Asanazi when we can take you directly to the capital and save time.

And it helps you with whatever you seek from them.

It does.

Why not send us an emissary? Why you?

We happened to be in their royal city with them unexpectedly. We sought their help, and they agreed to assist us, but only if we left, then returned to Asan with you. As I need to know what they know, I readily agreed to find you and bring you to them. I knew you would come to Baestra to rescue Potera’s family; Xerxes was already here in hiding and I was going to be arrested as soon as I was found. I fled to Baestra from the capital, and hid here in the tunnels waiting for your arrival. My escape brought a lot of attention to the city, especially since Xerxes had dropped out of sight at the same time. Potera’s family was marked for interrogation and death as she had already disappeared; there were rumors reaching Xeneid ears that Lady Potera was in Frijia with Mattias Denson. We’ve been hiding in the tunnels ever since. When you arrived just now, the Xeneids were closing in fast. Your arrival was fortuitous and most welcome.

I see. And which parts of this fantasy are we supposed to believe?

All of it. It’s all true. Feel free to confirm in your own inimitable way.

I’ve reason to believe that some factions, like immortals, are able to defeat my probing mind links. I don’t think I can trust your thoughts any more than your words. But if we continue on this journey together, you’d better be telling me the truth – and leaving out nothing. If I find even the tiniest fraction of dissembling, I will end you both - immediately.

Understood. We have nothing to gain, and everything to lose by not cooperating fully with you, Mattias. But I wish to be clear. You are not my liege Lord and I owe you no duty other than to fulfill my oaths to you and not lie or deceive about any matter asserted. When we get to Asan, my debts to you and the King of Asan are fulfilled. I will go my own way with my son. Accept these terms, or we can part ways now.

You mean I should accept your terms, or you’re prepared to die. You won’t leave this room alive if I don’t believe you.

As you wish. But you will get nothing from me otherwise.

Perhaps I can turn the screws on your son.

Perhaps. I wouldn’t count on it. We’re both in the same boat; we will live or die together.

My daughter Ronja is along. You, Seth, may survive; she has no issue with you. But your son will answer to my daughter for his past behavior. He is an oath breaker and worse. She’s quite annoyed with him, as am I.

Take it or leave it, Mattias Denson. This is a straight forward offer and has no moving parts. I will guide you to Asan and introduce you to the king. Then we go our separate ways; in the interim, you will guarantee my safety and my son’s. As I said, my debt to you is fulfilled as soon as you arrive in Asan.

As will my oath to you. And Xerxes. I can kill you both, right away.

I accept that understanding.

I doubt it. You’re a liar and I doubt you’re telling me everything. I’ll take you with us when we leave. I’ll decide your fate later on the road to Asan.

You’ll guarantee our safety?

If we decide to take you along, yes. But until I make that agreement, you are in mortal danger from me and Ronja. I suggest you keep quiet and answer all of our questions honestly. And stay away from Ronja. She’s very angry.

As Mattias waited to depart with Potera’s family and friends who were escaping to Anderra, he had time to learn more about the Kingdom of Asan. Mattias was surprised to learn that he had met some of the Asan royals; he could not imagine where or when. His recall was excellent, and he rarely forgot a name, but the names of the Asan royals did not seem familiar. If he were a betting man, he would wager that he had no idea who they were and had never met them.

Perhaps they had him confused with someone else.

Potera said, Papa, I don’t think anyone confuses you with anyone else. If they’ve met you, they would remember. You’re kinda hard to forget.

Is that good?

Very good, papa. But it’s been so long since we’ve had alone time that I’ve almost forgotten what you look like. I’m in a very sad way, papa. Dire straits.

You poor thing. Here we are in mortal danger, and all you can think about is ...

So?

Just curious. I’ll do better. Apologies, Potera. I’ve been remiss.

Easily remedied. We cuddle tonight.

Now, what else do we know?

"You mean what else don’t we know?"

Correct.

They rule over the Bestianari? All clans and kingdoms save the Nubili?

Mattias returned to interviewing Seth and Xerxes, trying to catch them in a lie or in a contradiction. They were, for once, amazingly consistent in their stories. Mattias wished Eimear Thorsdottir had come along; she could assess Seth’s veracity.

Seth said, They do, that’s for sure, and technically I guess they’re not related to the Bestianari. They have some sort of historical connection though I don’t know what it is. Nothing was said to us other than the Bestianari are subjects of the domain, and fanatical subjects of the Asan royals. But the Asan royals are so much more.

How so?

The Bestianari of the Wastelands have elevated the Asan royals to almost the stature of gods. They serve the king in Asan, to whom they have sworn oaths. In return, the king cares for them and has instituted reforms to improve their lives. They are no longer treated as outcasts and savage beasts. They are intelligent, though not like the Bjerne. They are more like children, at least those we have met.

Who’s in charge in Asan?

The king. He rules, but his daughter shares power as the nominal queen. The queen holds some of the levers of the state, and does so with a firm grip. She is not cruel, but demands that laws be obeyed by all the royals in the confederated kingdoms. It’s not always easy.

What law?

The Covenant, of course. When the Asan returned to the kingdom, they brought with them the Covenant and the laws of the Seven Realms promulgated under the Charter of Rights. Effecting the new system was complicated at first, but was soon accepted throughout the kingdom. The only resistance of note came from the Nubili. Nonetheless, they acceded to the queen eventually. It was and is a cause of friction; it is rumored the Nubili may soon leave Asan. They seek a return to their homeland.

Why did they leave their homeland in the first place?

No one knows. They are peaceful enough, and have behaved well in the confederation, but have their own ways. I suspect they were a slave society once, though they slave no longer.

The Lesti and the Bjerne? They are there?

It is rumored, though I cannot personally confirm, that there are a few Lesti who live in Asan and serve the royals. It is said that a few Bjerne came with them. I did not see them myself, but that’s what I was told. None are native to the kingdom and those who are there are new additions.

The mystery deepens.

There are curiosities, that’s for sure. I’ll be honest in saying I don’t know who these royals are, or where they came from, only that their return was welcome and a cause for celebration.

Mattias continued, Now about these Nubili and the other associated kingdoms. You say they are all ethnically Asanazi, but are somehow divided into distinct groups.

Yes, more like clans. Maybe a little like a vassal state, but connected closely by blood and language. Some customs are different, but they all pray to the same gods and meet every summer to renew ties and arrange marriages. It is said that the queen herself, and her brother Prince Sotan, are now of age and both will marry at the summer solstice. Their father, the king, is to announce their mates in late spring. The event is much anticipated, though there is some fracas and friction between Prince Sotan and one of the princesses of a constituent realm. Actually, the dispute is between Sotan and the girl’s father. It is said that the Lord of Cambria, the kingdom in question, demands that Prince Sotan marry his daughter, having already sampled her chastity. The prince denies the allegation; the princess has said nothing in his or her own defense.

War?

No, at worst, a duel. Each will name a champion and the matter will be decided.

Seems like a poor system.

I don’t know how else to settle the matter. No one can prove paternity; it’s one word against another.

If the girl hasn't spoken, then that is incorrect. Should be interesting.

That leaves the princess.

Who?

The princess, Sotan’s sister.

So, one sister is a princess, the other the queen?

No, she’s one and the same.

How so?

She is a powerful queen by ascension because her mother, the true queen, has passed while her father, the king, still lives. That’s the law of Asan, the queen has powers that the king may not exercise. A queen is needed so the sister is queen and serves in that role. But for the purposes of marriage, she is still considered a princess as she is unmarried, but of age. Therefore, her father can arrange her marriage. If her father died, and she remained on the throne as queen in her own right, then she would decide who to marry.

"That works? Seems convoluted. The king, her father does not exercise all power? And her brother does not become king and choose for her?"

This is how it was explained to me. She won’t marry a stranger or a frog. She will only marry who she chooses, though the announcement will be made by her father.

What’s her name?

Lady Grey. Lady Selinda Grey.

Mattias spoke to the few people who had collected in the underground store room as they planned their escape from Baestra. They had little to say about the Wasteland, except that before the arrival of the Xeneids, the people of Somna were expressly prohibited from stepping even one foot into that territory. There was no real need, said the authorities. The Bestianari didn’t produce anything an immortal needed, and the people of the Wastelands were hostile to any outsider entering their lands. There were brave souls who entered Bestianari lands as explorers and diplomats, but few who ever returned alive. The Somnans often told their children who misbehaved that the Bestianari cooked naughty immortal children and ate them for lunch.

Many Somnan immortals believed the old trope wasn’t far from the truth.

The expanded party left Baestra in the dead of night, exiting the tunnel system just ahead of the Xeneid secret police. The group heading to the Wastelands parted ways with their Bjerne, Tarya, her family and Potera's family, who all headed due east to the Brujon border. Tarya and her group would then travel south in Brujon, then to Anderra, then finally to Frijia. Mattias and his folk guided them to the border before continuing on their journey through the northern mountains of Somna.

Mattias crossed the treeline of the Northern Cordillera and climbed to the midpoint of the mountain slope; there they made camp. Mattias decided he was either going to allow Seth and Xerxes to travel with them all the way to Asan, or kill them before moving on. He was agnostic about the pair; Ronja less so.

Mattias said to Ronja, You’re awfully quiet. Planning the perfect execution?

"No. Brother surmised that we might run into them, and that the intelligence about the Xeneids came from them. We can’t be foolish about this. If the Xeneids are a continuing threat, we need more information not less. Seth is right that his time as ally to the Xeneids was going to end sooner or later; that was always a forgone conclusion. And the Xeneids have no issue around murdering