“O, in your homeland, do people ever tell fairy tales?” O’s friend asks as soon as he returns to his chamber. “The sort of tales children love to hear... ah, though not children alone.”

  He sets a large bowl brimming with blueberries upon the table. “I have just picked them from the hill behind the house. They are pleasantly tart, and taste good. A pity that O has no need of food or drink. Well then. Does O know such fairy tales? The short and simple sort—ah… perhaps only short, and not so simple after all.”

  ‘Yes,’ O replies. ‘In the land of Aoringinas there are folk tales the elders often tell, and the children gather round to listen. The little ones delight in them.’

  “And when they grow older, do they still delight in them? Or do they prefer tales long and intricate?”

  ‘When they grow older, they still delight in them, and in time they tell them again to their own children. Few let a tale run so long as O does.’

  “Oh? How curious.” The young fellow begins to nibble the berries one by one.

  ‘And why does this talk of fairy tales concern you? If it pleases you, O may tell you some.’

  “Oh, that would be well enough,” the scribe laughs. “As for this tale of yours, I begin to find it rather long and intricate. Ever since you turned to speak of the Goyk… the Goyk, I mean, are they anything like the villains in fairy tales?”

  ‘Like? What do you mean by “like”?’

  “Well…” He hesitates. “Truth be told, I rather like the wicked in fairy tales. They are cruel, grasping, and small of heart, yet plain to read—more so than the well-meaning folk around me.”

  ‘Oh… then let O go on, and you shall learn whether the wicked in O’s tale are akin to those in fairy tales.’

  “As you wish. The ink and paper are ready.”

  ~~~

  Two ga’as after their last meeting, Agud’Aga Voznugaid once more summoned Ramii, Hudyn, and Katuo to attend a convocation of grave importance within the Warhost.

  The Warhost of the ownan was composed of many Wardclans, each divided into smaller Wardbands numbering five to ten warriors apiece. Each Wardclan stood under the charge of an Agud, who in turn answered to an agud’A, and thence to the agud’Aga. On this occasion, the leaders of the Warhost had gathered in full within a vast Puroot atop Mount Bazdien.

  From before, and throughout, the rise of the a’Boni awake-scent, the Court of Goykang dispatched its legions to scour the continents, destroying nearly all the sacred Oawgibonis. After these purges, only two Oawgibonis endured across all of Aoringinas. One stood upon the summit of Mount Bazdien, tallest of the Holigeng Highlandss in northern Ao’Mahgar. The other lay concealed beneath the ocean’s depths to the east of Ao’Tuatiweh.

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  The Puroot are hollow spaces enclosed by white roots, among the countless roots that hang from the body of Oawgiboni. They are likened to the lungs of Oawgiboni. The ownan often gather in these places to deliberate matters of great import. They hold that these Puroot are the confluence of currents of the purest breath. These sacred sanctuaries banish malign spirits and cleanse the soul, that they might render judgment with clarity and wisdom.

  The three stood bewildered, unable to understand what the ownan were discussing. Katuo guessed that only when the ownan chose to speak to her would she understand them.

  At that moment, Lyndorin stepped beside them, and her words became clear within their minds. ‘Let me convey their words to you. Agud’Aga instructed me beforehand.’

  Through Lyndorin, they learned that before long the Goyk would launch their invasion of Ao’Mahgar. Voznugaid and the Aguds devised a strategy of defense to confront them. The warriors swore an oath to protect Oawgiboni with their very lives. At the same time, the agud’As were charged with sealing and guarding the Zon’A Gate, lest the Goyk cross into the realm of the henan. They believed that once the blood-elixir was depleted, the invaders would be forced to retreat to Ao’Hanoorat.

  As their long deliberation drew toward its conclusion, Voznugaid came to stand before Ramii.

  ‘OaaKiteh ~ The last time, I did not give you a clear answer regarding Lady Tlyna. The Aguds and I have deliberated long and with great care before speaking these words to you. You must understand, Ramii, that any intent to journey into Ao’Hanoorat to rescue Lady Tlyna is, at present, impossible. The land itself is exceedingly treacherous and labyrinthine, and the Goyk army is not only vast in number but also highly skilled in warfare. To lead a force there in hopes of rescue would be little different from marching straight into death.’

  Voznugaid fell silent when he saw the color drain from Ramii’s face.

  ‘I ask that you remain steady,’ Voznugaid continued, his voice still calm, his luminous eyes meeting Ramii’s reddened gaze. ‘I do not believe the hope of rescuing your mother is lost. Lady Tlyna’s importance to the Goyk means that her life is not in danger for the present; rather, she will be guarded with the utmost vigilance. Moreover, the Goyk scouts have disclosed no certain tidings of her place of confinement.

  War will surely come. Whether it is fought in Ao’Mahgar or in Ao’Hanoorat will depend on how well each side prepares. If our Warhost proves strong enough, we shall march upon Ao’Hanoorat.

  In truth, nothing is certain. Yet I give you my word: I will help you find Lady Tlyna. When war breaks out, my warriors will do all within their power to take the key figures of the Goykang Court alive and hold them to bargain for her freedom. This is the course I can offer you at this time. What say you to this?’

  A stone lodged in Ramii’s throat. No word would come. His knees nearly buckled beneath him. It was then that Hudyn stepped forward, unabashed, one hand gripping Ramii’s shoulder.

  “You say so, then we’ll take your word for it,” he said bluntly. “We’ve only just arrived—we don’t know a damn thing about this place yet anyway. But from what I can tell, your host looks plenty big. So give us somewhere to train. I want to fight the Goyk.”

  “Y–yes,” Katuo stepped forward as well, her voice trembling. “We must find Ramii’s mother, no matter what. Please, allow us to fight alongside you.”

  In response to their wish to join the Warhost, Voznugaid did not hesitate to grant his assent. Yet he offered this solemn counsel:

  ‘OaaKiteh ~ Should you henans choose to stand beside us in the war to come, know that you are welcome. I have ever held courage in high regard. But hear this. You must temper your strength and hone your will. If you do not, you may well lose your lives.’

  ~~~