Chapter 7
The extraordinary room they congregated in was situated beneath a mountain in the lower mountains of the Great Mountain Range, home to the Giants, caretakers of the Hall of the Wizards for nearly four thousand years. Finnegaff seated himself on the high-backed chair at the end of the long, highly polished, oval wood table. All the ornately carved chairs at the table had high backs, but Finnegaff’s was the tallest.
“Be it known that upon this day it is gathered the Council of Wizards as set to rule by the Elves of old.” Finnegaff enunciated each word in a deep, authoritative voice. He held the scroll in front of him, though just a formality, for he had not need of it, having memorized it centuries ago. “We come unto the presence of the twelve. We gather in the common interest of upholding the balance of Saa. Let all those who are of other mindset be gone!” He paused and looked at each of them just for a second to see if any took the offer of dismissal, which certainly would have been just less than treason, and got the usual unerring response. All remained seated. He often wondered what would happen if any of them ever got up and left. “Let the Council of Wizards commence!” Finnegaff rolled the scroll and set it on the table before him. For a moment, all were quiet.
Marigaff broke the silence. “Dear friends, how good to see all of you! As you know, we’ve rounded the turn of four hundred years and the Reading of the Book of Life is upon us. As of now I am in training Miagaff, the Carrier of the Book of Life.”
“Hail, good friend!” Heragaff the historian said. His long white beard nearly touched the ground from where he sat. He leaned back in his chair while tipping the brim of his pointed wizard’s hat. “Tell us, dear Marigaff, how fares the Carrier?”
“Is she great with Saa?” asked Kordigaff, war councilor.
“Does she have a gift of creation?” asked Ameretegaff, Lady of Peace.
“Is she eager and with respect?” Sterrigaff, keeper of trees.
“Does she conceive to her destiny?” Heragaff again.
Marigaff spoke. “I answer yes to all of these lest the latter, of which she knows her quest, yet not the peril nor impending doom that it might entail. Her will is strong; her Saa powerful. She proves a most ample student and performs as none I’ve seen.” All was quiet for moments. The Council of Wizards held deep respect for the comments of one another, particularly when the one speaking was within the bounds of their own field. When Marigaff said something like what she had, the council received her with deserving respect.
"Miagaff indeed is a strong and competent student. I believe she has," Marigaff said, "the gift of healing!"
"Shemesaa!" Llormigaff, keeper of the archives, said. A murmur broke out amongst the council.
Finnegaff waited patiently for the talking to cease in its own time. "But two times have we seen Shemesaa, friends. Verelligaff," he said to the Elven scholar of Saa, "What might you tell us of Shemesaa?"
The congregation yielded the floor to the wise scholar, for it was he who toiled over the little known proverbs and scrutinized the unwritten accounts of the mysteries of Saa. "It is true that but two have yielded this strength and blessing. There are firm accounts of healing from disease, injury and sickness of mind. Indeed, turmoil in battle has been averted with it; crippled men walked again, and the drowning sickness of wetlung fled its victim on Saa's command! Yet it has not the ability to give back life. Nay, even Saa could perform such a task!" He waited for the drama to set in. The other wizards stood by patiently; Finnegaff reclined with feet on table and puffed his pipe. Heragaff wrote confidently in his history journals. Wizards liked to engage in flamboyant speech at times, dramatizing their stories. All wizards have their moments of glory with words, for as everyone knows, this is the nature of wizards. When these moments occurred during assemblies of the Council, the speaker would be given the floor while all waited patiently through the dissertation, knowing that at some time they, too, would take turn to embellish dialog. The other council members would then grace them with their opportunity for historic speeches.
He continued. "The invocation of Shemesaa is determined by Saa, not the wizard. When it engages, it is said that the wizard has no way to avert it, nor does he have control over what it is going to do. Furthermore, there is no warning before the invocation begins!" Another murmur broke out in the assembly of the wizards. This was unheard of! At the very least, the wizard invoked the spell. Though the end result might vary slightly from what the wizard’s intent was, the generation of the invocation always came from the wizard.
"How is this so?" Sterrigaff, the forest green sylph from Elfwood and keeper of the trees, raised her dark green eyebrows and brushed her thin, medium length emerald hair from her face with a delicate hand. Despite being very petite, she carried the same heavy air of authority as any wizard of the council.
Verelligaff hesitated in thought. "It is believed by some scholars of Saa that Saa controls the invocation because of purpose critical to destiny. Others say that it is a rare extension of Saa's good and requires a wizard of great strength to manifest."
"And what say you?" Finnegaff asked the scholar.
"I hold to the first theory based on my own knowledge and experience," he said. "Marigaff, to what do you hold this account of suspected Shemesaa?"
"When Miagaff invokes, the Saa forces that hold healing are present," she said. That was enough evidence for the others.
"Skallagaff," Finnegaff moved along, "What of the Kings?"
"Even now do the Kings grow anxious," spoke Skallagaff, the Mantid wizard advisor to all kings. Her prayer-like arms amply held a cup of water, the claw at the end of her arm with four prongs, the fourth prong an opposing digit. Her other limb gestured grandly in time with her words. Skallagaff was strict to proper manner. She was, after all, wizard advisor to kings. Her orange antennae moved slightly as she spoke. "Many are prepared with a representative for the Reading of the Book of Life as now." She twisted her antennae together, which is how a Mantid smiles. "Queen Xyledes is being a bit difficult, as we could have all predicted."
"We did, a few centuries ago," Heragaff the historian said. All laughed at this: a "yes, I do recall!" here and an "Oh, by Saa!" there. When Finnegaff, who all knew had gone through a great deal of trial that few centuries ago as a result of Queen Xyledes' insistence that her immortal daughter be their representative, said in a serious voice, "somebody refresh my memory; I don't seem to recall..." they laughed all the harder.
“I'm getting too old for these escapades," Finnegaff said. Murmurs of agreement and heads nodding somberly supported his statement. He bolted upright in his chair. "Cease this undeserved defamation of my character, scoundrels!" He pointed his pipe aimlessly at them all and laughed with them. He then lit his pipe with the tip of the quill with which he had been writing.
"There is something," he began, "that concerns me." The assembly grew quiet. "Miagaff is, well, so young."
"Not a child!" Kordigaff the Dwarf and advisor to war sat up in his chair. "Not again!"
"Not so much a child," Marigaff said. "A young lady, fifteen years of age."
"That's not so bad," Ameretegaff the Mumbwe rang in confidence. "I was fifteen once!" They laughed.
"So was I," Finnegaff said. "But I wasn't Carrier of the Book of Life at fifteen! Miagaff is...testy. Strong willed. Aggressive. She still displays immature behavior that tries me, and concerns me for the Carrying, uh, concerns me for her safety, for the safety of the Book of Life."
"She's fine, dear!" Marigaff, seated at Finnegaff's right hand, laid her hand upon his.
"I know, I know." He looked at the quill he still held. "It's just that, well," he looked up at all of them, panning his view. "Her decisions are variably irrational," he began. The rest remained silent and allowed him to air his grievance.
"Several weeks ago I found Mia and brought her directly to Marigaff." He patted her hand and smiled, as did Ameretegaff, the Lady of Peace. "In that time she asked many questions. She learns fast; this I saw immediatel
y. But she is naive, more so than those Carriers of the past." He sighed and rubbed his forehead. "For you see, when the Carrying is in progress, undoubtedly Eringaff will make her attempts to procure the Book of Life. When that happens, Miagaff needs to be ready. I mean not only for battle," he looked at the wizard advisor to war, "but also in Saa. And courage and honor and dedication."
"Eringaff is very driven this Carrying," Garhagaff, the keeper of the Land of Desolation said."Her race to lay hands upon the Book and defeat Gaff is what motivates her. Gaff continues to be persistent with her to gain the Book of Life for his own reasons, which she knows includes not her. The true contest is between the two of them."
"I have heard rumor of such. Thank you, beloved Garhagaff." Finnegaff expressed his gratitude, for he knew how hard that kind of information was to acquire. "All the more reason." He shook his head and looked downward in thought.
"Dear Finnegaff," Ameretegaff said. Indeed she was world renowned for her gentle compassion. "My dear Finnegaff! Are not all Carryings with obstacle? Recall Karengaff."
"Yes, yes," he replied.
"And do not forget that which you yourself proclaim," Sterrigaff, keeper of the trees said. "'I would rather school to the innocent than to a seasoned wizard of self-teaching!’" She gently looked at him. Her shining emerald hair framed her soft, lovely green complexion.
"Yes! I do say that, don't I?"
"And 'with the youth come perfect buds of the fruit of wisdom'," added Marigaff.
"Yes. True! It's all true!" He spread his arms wide, dropped them to his lap, sat back in his chair and sighed. "My deepest gratitude, loved friends!" They all nodded, consenting to move on.
"The usual route will be followed. I shall look forward to your continued support throughout the journey as our paths meet."
The Council of Wizards met late into the evening and into the dawn. The main topic was, of course, the best of successes for the Carrying of the Book of Life. They met on many things that had nothing to do with the Carrying. It had, after all, been nearly three years since they had convened. By noon the next day, all matters had been decided upon.
“It has been found by the good Council of Wizards that I, Finnegaff, be guide and see the Carrier of the Book of Life through to the Reading; that Marigaff see that Miagaff be prepared in nigh a month; that all council inform those allies of their charge of what befell them; that, as it is written in law: ‘lest a token of every good race behold the Reading of the Book of Life.’ Of each race shall the Reader choose one: human, dwarf, elf, mumbwe, lesser fairy, centaur and mantid, and I, Finnegaff, standing for the race of men.”
“Finnegaff,” Ameretegaff the Mumbwe Lady of Peace said. She smiled a warm smile that would melt the heart of the meanest darkhound. She and Finnegaff had always been close, as was any combination of any of the members of the Council of Wizards. “Finnegaff, why be you so painfully formal? Me thinks perhaps a stomach ailment might take me!” She laid the back of her hand upon her forehead. Everyone laughed.
Finnegaff stood, holding aloft his staff, Lebethtro Larra. He spoke in his deepest, most majestic voice. "According to that which is written, the Wizard's Council shall show their honor to tradition of 'Council for the Eighth Carrying of the Book of Life'! Remecta Saa! Facas duoa mielle! Eme borska o lorus nar onso raffe! Lo’rotien aftalla!” (Friend Saa! Let there be our song! A keg and mugs for all here! King’s supper!) As he lowered Lebethtro Larra gently upon the table, a silver keg with twelve silver goblets hanging from it’s perimeter appeared in the center of the table, surrounded by a feast: roast lamb, fruits, duck, breads, cheeses and vegetables. From an indeterminable direction came the sounds of a musical ensemble: string drum combined with woodrod to harmonize to the beat of drums. Tambourine-like instruments beat exciting, driving rhythm. Each and every one of them sprung for their mugs. Honor to tradition was, after all, the highlight of the meetings of the Council of the Wizards. This particular honor to tradition lasted three days.
Marigaff had returned to the farm with Finnegaff only to find Mia’s knowledge and abilities multi fold. So eager was she to learn! And a good thing it was, for time was running short. The wizards never knew when Saa would deliver the outworlder to become the Reader of the Book of Life. Once it had been two years ahead of time, others, like this one, a few months.
Also, not to Marigaff’s surprise, Mia was feeling pangs of homesickness.
On the second afternoon following Marigaff's return, Mia requested audience with her during study time. It was in Marigaff's quarters that they met on this rainy day. Mia, according to protocol, removed her muddy boots upon entering the charming room. Marigaff had a table for sitting in meeting with whoever it might be that called upon her, seating up to eight in number. Mia sat down on the sofa a few feet from the motherly sorceress, one leg tucked under with an arm across the back of the couch. Marigaff sat cross-legged, her hands folded in her lap. She looked at Mia, her body language signaling her undivided attention. She said nothing, allowing Mia the latitude to speak. After a few moments, she did.
"Lady Marigaff?" she said. Marigaff waited patiently as Mia searched for words. "I...I don't know what to do." She choked back tears. "It's so nice here, and exciting and all, but..." She wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve. "I really miss my mom," she said, "and my friend Susan." She laughed nervously and looked at Marigaff with teary eyes. "But not my brother!" Marigaff smiled.
"Soon will come the day when you may return at will," Marigaff said, "and transform between here and there as you so desire."
"But how do I know that?" she asked. "I mean, I believe you and everything, but right now, well, it's been so long!"
"Yes, child, it has. And the time will come for you when it will not have seemed so. Until then, your placement in time and space are Saa's to decide."
"You...you really can't understand," Mia said.
"Mia, dear. Do you know where I am from?" Mia shook her head. "England."
"England?! Like, England, England?"
"Yes, dear. Earth. London, England. 23 Berkshire Way, to be exact."
"Do you...do you ever go back?" Mia asked.
"From time to time. To see friends and family."
"But you're here most of the time."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I like it here. In England, I am a peasant woman. Here I am a person who can make a difference."
"Don't they miss you? Like, don't they notice you've been gone a long time?"
"Time passes differently between the two worlds. As one goes back and forth, time does not pass on the world they aren't in."
“Yeah, I know that,” Mia sighed. “Its just that....” She shook her head. "What were you doing the last time you were home. I mean in England." She flipped her hands in the air. "Whatever."
"I am thatching feathers to arrows there now. My family sells them to the crown for the army."
"England uses arrows for war? Haven't they heard of guns?"
"I am from a different time than you," she said. "My time is 1642."
Mia stared at her. "That was a long time ago!"
"For both of us! I have been in Morrah for thirty-two hundred years, yet only six months have passed in England."
Mia absorbed this. "Do you look the same?"
"Mostly. My hair is longer here. I am fifty-eight in England, but here I haven't the aches and pains that go with old age."
"How did you get here?" Mia asked.
"Much the same as you. The first time I transformed I was in Elfwood, deep in the forest."
"Why?" Mia had so many questions!
"Because it is what Saa directed."
"No! Why did Saa direct you here?"
"To become Carrier of the Book of Life," Marigaff said.
Mia stared in amazement. “Why don't I know this?” she puzzled. “I know about some of the other Carriers, but....”
Marigaff smiled mischievously. “That information was intentionally withheld from
you, dear,” she said.
“Then why are you telling me now?”
“Because it is time.”
There were some sorts of things Mia had learned not to pursue wizards on, mostly because they enjoyed confusing her way too much, and she knew this to be true. She had learned to read the signs. “Still, I...I miss home.”
I know, dear.” Marigaff hugged Mia and smiled warmly. “I really know.”
Mia tried to think about the whole picture Marigaff had painted for her, but could not erase her home from her mind. She couldn't hold the tears any longer. She held on to Marigaff and sobbed uncontrollably. While she cried, a knock came upon the door.
"Choritis fross melemass!" (Please do not disturb!) Marigaff spoke softly. The student at the door received a picture (rather than words) that he was to leave them alone for a time. All who came to call received the same picture even before they knocked. Marigaff stroked Mia's hair and held her, not knowing that Mia's mother had done the same when she was a young child. Soon Mia fell asleep. Marigaff continued to hold her and allowed her rest until Mia herself decided that she wanted to wake up.
Much later that evening, Mia plotted. She had thought hard about how to get to her homeland. She reasoned that if she had transformed into this strange world by where Tree was rooted, the way home must be at the same place. She felt guilty for planning to run away from Marigaff’s Farm, after all they had done for her. But they were looking for a Reader of the Book of Life when they found her, weren’t they? Saa could find somebody else just as easily. Late that night while Aaramerielle slept, Mia arose and took up the small bag she had prepared in secret for her leave. She slipped through the doorway without a sound, out into Morrah’s forever-moonless black night.
Earlier she considered taking a horse, but decided against it: she would not steal from these kind people. She took only a few clothes and some food which she figured she would have eaten anyway.
She trudged on for hours, keeping her ears open for any odd noises. She walked through the rolling hills, taking care as she stumbled through the darkness. She inadvertently stumbled onto a stone wall she did not remember being there. Just as she was thinking about how odd it was that the wind which blew from an opening in the rocks of the wall had a most rancid odor, two huge glowing yellow eyes as wide as a basketball and shaped like a banana slowly opened not ten feet in front of her. Instantly she realized that it was not a stone wall she had stumbled upon, but the Dragon Cwyth, who had been napping on her chosen path. The fowl wind she smelled was the dragon’s rotten breath. She froze in terror, hoping he would fall back into his sleep and leave her unnoticed. Of course he did not.
He raised his monstrous head. She could barely see him. He turned his head to the side. She jumped backward when she heard him take in a deep breath. He let go a roaring stream of fire to his left and ignited several small trees. The light from the fire allowed her to see him better.
“Who dares to disturb my slumber?” he said. He looked her in the eye as would a hunter to its prey. Mia was speechless with fear. She knew Saa had no effect on dragons. “My, my! You are an ugly little thing! Hardly an appetizer for the likes of me!” He laughed to himself. “Do you not know how stupid it is to be stumbling about in the dark of night in this land?” Faster than she could move, faster than something the size of Cwyth should be able to move, the dragon seized her with his powerful front claw.