Young Flame

“Absolutely not!” Grand Elder Hraun exclaims, as many other elders express their opposition to Śuri’s declaration. “Our seclusion has kept the tribes safe from the eastern races for millennia. We are not about to sacrifice that for vengeful gratification.”

“That seclusion no longer provides us the same protection it once did,” Śuri says calmly, despite the immediate opposition he faces from most elders. “These attacks were not random. They were targeted and intentional. For those who are not already aware, the invaders were of a nation far to the east. Their presence in our wastelands was entirely for the capture of our people. Our weaknesses, our strengths, they knew everything.”

“So you want to throw our people into conflict against water mages without the protection of sands? That will do nothing but get our people killed,” the grand elder of the Agni tribes, Vesta, says. “You think that won’t instigate the eastern nations to increase their mage numbers?”

“It is too late to be concerned about such fears. They already know about us and are likely amassing their numbers as we speak. We need to hit them, so that they know we won’t take our people being captured or slaughtered without retaliation. Their land is unimportant to us, so I don’t plan to take any besides the strongest with me. The tribes will remain safe in the deserts.”

“You are getting ahead of yourself.” Her message is directed at Śuri, but Yalun is kind enough to let me hear.

She straightens and addresses the grand elders that seem almost insulted by the prospect of going against their set ways. “Solvei here was imprisoned by the Henosis — our attackers — so we are fortunate enough to have her account as to their motive. We know they were capturing our people to power new weapons they have created. For now, they could not stop any adult from breaking their restraints, but if they can fix that problem, then I don’t count on this being the last time we will see them. If nothing is done, they will be back, I fear, at a far larger scale.”

“Solvei,” Ildri, one of the duo to my left, addresses me. “What are these weapons the Henosis have built?”

I dislike having everyone’s attention bearing down on me again, but I respond without problem. “Bombs. The one they threw me in was supposed to be enough to kill an elite, but the Void Fog swallowed us before it could go off.”

“Would these bombs be a danger to us?”

“I don’t know. But their weapons aren’t the only thing they could use us for. Almost all the eastern cities rely on fire-hyle-powered inscriptions to function. Even their buildings and vehicles can be improved by having one of us replace their furnace. If they have any other weapons beyond the bombs, them I’m sure they’ll come.”

Gloria was a single ursu, and it took her no time to realise she could abuse my biology to enhance her oven. I can’t imagine the Empire that has gone to the effort of hunting down my kind to power an experimental weapon not doing the same as her. Maybe it’s possible that they stay to themselves as they did during the mermineae’s invasion, but I wouldn’t count on it. Not after they proved their warmongering nature by invading New Vetus.

The idea that we would actually attack them in retaliation is a surprise. I’ve always pictured our kind being too isolated, and separate to mount a proper offence against a nation like the Henosis Empire, but as I look around the room, I find fewer elders opposed to the idea than I’d thought. Beyond their initial reluctance, as they ponder over our words, many abandon the solid hatred of the idea.

I certainly wouldn’t be against the idea. As far as I know, none of my friends have friends in Henosis, so the prospect of giving them what they deserve is rather attractive. I’d be against a mindless slaughter — after the mermineae invasion, I know I can’t assume everyone is evil because they oppose me — but a beat down on the people in power within Henosis that allowed my people to be attacked? I can agree to that.

“Going to war will not end well,” Vesta says. “Why do you think our ancestors abandoned the eastern lands despite having Eldest Ember’s strength?”

Odqan hums. “We are in a different position than our ancestors. Our strongest can fight without fearing retaliation upon our tribes. They cannot flood away our gers, nor can they call down rains.” He turns to Śuri. “But war is too hasty. With the threat of the ocean eating our deserts, we cannot afford to split our focus.”

“That is reasonable,” Śuri admits, backing off his declaration of war oddly easily. “But we still need to be prepared for the possibility that these Henosis soldiers return. Does anyone have any propositions to increase our fighting power?”

An elder on the other side of Yalun chuckles while shaking his head. “You need not act ignorant. We all know you want to abolish the taboo for energy advancement.”

“Is it so bad? The races to the east have already shown they know more about us than we thought.”

“You forget doing so would put a strain on the wasteland’s resources,” Grand Elder Hraun says. “Would you have all our elders living along the Titan Alps?”

Isn’t it a bit strange that the elder with the highest capacity is the one fighting the hardest to keep the taboo? If not for his arguments actually holding weight, I’d say he just didn’t want anyone coming close to questioning his position. Fortunately, I have an answer to that.

“Couldn’t we trade with the eastern nations?” I ask, suppressing the nervousness that bubbles within me under Hraun’s glare. “We can receive resources that grow rapidly in their lands, and they’ll receive a few áed to power their cities. Not all the eastern races oppose us. In fact, I am friends with the leader of New Vetus, our bordering nation, along with many people in influential positions of the pact nations. Coming to an agreement with those nations will be easy.”

I’m probably shoving my foot down my throat saying this, reminding each of the elders here that yes, I have broken the taboo of leaving the wasteland, but I truly believe forming close relations with our neighbouring nations would be good.

“And how do you suppose they would react once they discover our intentions to attack Henosis?” Vesta asks. I’m sure she intends for it to poke holes in my suggestion, but there’s just one problem.

“Neither the pact nations nor New Vetus are on good terms with the Empire. Actually, they’d probably assist us in attacking them.”

“So, I guess that would mean abolishing the other taboo you broke?” the elder on the other side of Yalun says, the edge of his mouth tilted upward as he watches me.

“Forgoing our tradition and leaping into this is dangerous,” Grand Elder Hraun warns. “Following through on this would leave us in uncharted territory. There is too much risk associated with trusting those not of our own. How can we assure the safety of those that travel beyond our lands? How do we prevent these races from learning more about us? I do not want their fear fueling the wars that will come should we abolish the taboos.”

“We have already lo-“ Śuri is interrupted by Hraun’s gesture for silence.

“We will put it to a vote.” The old grand elder’s hard gaze travels over every áed in the room, as if asking them to disagree with him. “First, abolishing the taboo on rapid energy expansion.”

Immediately, I feel assent through the flames of both Śuri and Yalun, along with Ildri and Iri. With how much energy the duo have, I’m not at all surprised by their choice. Both Hraun and Vesta make their objection known. What I am shocked by, is Odqan’s stance alongside them. I’d thought he would align with us, but I guess not.

Most of the other grand elders aren’t so quick to choose. Communication occurs in silence between them all as they deliberate on their choice. A minute. Five. By the time the first grand elder outside the initial votes makes their choice, I’m almost falling asleep within the soft comfort of my rug. These áed really have no concept of time, huh? The elder that smirked at me before votes in agreement, increasing the lead for the abolishment.

“Young Solvei, is it true that there are races beyond the wasteland that will look upon us kindly?” the elder besides Odqan asks through her fire. Ignatia, I think her name is.

“I mean, not everyone is exactly benevolent, but there are many amongst them I trust.” It might not be that great for our argument, but I don’t want to lie, especially when it comes to such a massive choice for the future of our kind.

“Oh? Do you mind telling me about them?”

For the next hour, I speak to her about many of the people I’ve gotten to know in my travels. At some point her assent joined the rest, but she never stopped listening as I yapped about my team and friends. Ignatia seems far more interested in hearing me talk than speaking herself, but I do learn that she’s one of the few grand elders that remains with a tribe. She shows particular interest when I speak of the eastern inscriptions, but it isn’t the obsessive curiosity both Yalun and Leal have in their interests, which is a comforting difference.

“We have a majority.” Hraun’s grumpy voice startles me out of my discussion.

Finally, we’re done? As I peer around the chamber, I find some are yet to vote, but nine grand elders have voted in favour.

“From this point onward, capacity growth is no longer prohibited.” Grand Elder Hraun shakes his head, disappointed by the collective choice. “I must ask that any who wish to take advantage of this change, please restrain yourself within the deserts. I’d prefer if the tribes of the future had resources for themselves.” His glare focuses on the duo before locking on Śuri. I guess those are the most likely to jump on the chance to grow.

Hraun sighs before progressing with the next vote. “Now, for the abolishment of the taboo on-“

“Actually, Hraun, may I request we hold this vote off for some time?” Odqan asks. “I support the idea of opening ourselves to the outside world, but not as we are. Not only would it pose a threat while we are facing the issue with the ocean to the west, but I think it would be best to gather our strength before we attempt to interact with them.”

“It is unlikely so many grand elders will gather the next time. How about this: we will hold two votes, first for an immediate abolition, then should that not go through, we have a vote for a delayed abolition.” Hraun searches the room for any complaints. When he finds none, he continues. “Then we shall go ahead with the vote for the immediate abolishment of the travel taboo.”

I expect it to take another few hours of deliberation, just like the first vote, but many elders come forward with their vote instantly. Besides Śuri, it is unanimously opposed. Neither Yalun nor Ignatia vote, but against twelve ‘no’ votes, they wouldn’t make much difference.

“The restriction on travel remains a taboo for now,” Hraun says with a slightly less grouchy tone, but it comes back in full with his next words. “Onto the future abolition. Let’s schedule it for either the resolution of the western ocean problem, or three years from now. Whichever is first.” He once again looks around the room, waiting for objections. “Then please, cast your votes.”

Śuri, Yalun, Odqan, and surprisingly Ignatia vote immediately for the abolishment. Unfortunately, the duo, Ildri and Iri, do not follow suit. I thought for sure after their immediate votes for the removal of the enhancement ban, that they would jump on this as well. No, they remain far more indecisive about this proposition.

Unlike the first vote, we do not have the initial upper hand. Five grand elders — including Hraun and Vesta — oppose the idea. I know there is a distrust for the other races, but it’s not like we are going to leave ourselves vulnerable to them. Really, if trade doesn’t work, then things will just remain the same they have for years. I can’t see many áed travelling beyond the safety of the sands without a solid reason.

I know their biggest worry is that the nations will learn of the strength of the áed and decide they need to squash it, but I just can’t see it being possible. The Henosis could only deal as much damage to us in the south because of their surprise tactics and rapid movement provided by their cars. If they’d stayed any longer than they did, our retaliation would have crushed them. An invading army is nothing but an easy target for us.

While not at the level of a Beith, Leal is a rather competent water mage. After watching her struggle through the wasteland, I’m absolutely certain that unless everyone they sent was at her level or above, whatever army that tried to enter our lands would fall to the desert long before we entered combat with them. Not only does the sand drain all water from their storage, but the strength of their water would be reduced to barely a quarter of their typical effectiveness.

The only danger is if they sent in inner circle equivalent water mages, but even able to wield our weakness, they would be easy pickings for the grand elders with the home field advantage. We will be fine, as long as the elders hurry and pull their energy levels in line with their other abilities.

If there is a Tore or Hraun equivalent water mage… well, let’s just hope there isn’t.

Damn, how long are they going to take to decide this vote? Hopefully not as long as the last.