The Nine Lands: Sages Reborn
an excerpt

Taio sat, feet tucked under his buttocks, middle fingers and thumbs touching, breathing in the chilly air as he attempted to clear his mind and open it to the universe. From his vantage point on a ledge encircling the peaked roof of the central tower, he could see everything below as it disappeared into the distance, and all the stars above twinkling in the cloudless night sky. He had intended to climb to the top of the Eastern towers – his towers – but lost his way, and when he asked a palace servant to kindly lead him to the top of the tallest tower, he found that he had been directed instead of the tallest of them all, which belonged to the Empress. Not wanting to disturb anyone else so late and figuring that no one would notice him there, he sat down, and began to meditate.

Even though the cold evening air bled through his tunic and chilled his skin, he grew calm as ishego embraced him. He fell into it gladly, eager to wrap himself in the only thing that made sense at the moment. But in his eagerness he went in too deeply, and so was startled when a voice spoke to him.

“I thought I was the only one who found peace the stars,” said the Empress. Taio started and looked at her, embarrassed to have trespassed, and feeling angry at being ripped from his solitude. He took a breath, censuring himself for such an uncontrolled response, and pushed the emotions away.

“I am sorry to have intruded, your Eminence. I should have asked permission,” said Taio, bowing his head.

“Taio, this is your home now. You do not trespass here,” replied Janelyn. Taio flinched at her last words, and Janelyn signed. “One of your homes, then, though I hope that you will learn to accept it. The Imperial City is a glorious place, and you will want for nothing here. And there is enough knowledge tucked away in every corner of my archives to keep even you satisfied, I think.”

“I – thank you, your Eminence,” Taio said, again bowing his head. “You are most generous, but the August Mountains are my home. The Mother’s arms embrace me there.”

The Mother’s arms, thought Janelyn. I watched the beliefs of his people come into being, and so little about them has changed, even though the rest of the world invented and discarded newer beliefs many times since.

“If I may inquire, on what subject were you mediating?”

“I was – well, to be truthful, my intent was more oriented towards departure than contemplation.” He stood, stepping forward to place his hands on the stone railing. “Much has happened today, and although the monks have taught me to always be like the river that ebbs and flows as its course is altered, I am finding all of this difficult to accept.”

Janelyn smiled. “My dear Taio, you have just been informed that you are the current temporal embodiment of an ancient immortal soul. It is not the sort of thing one accepts easily. And frankly, I grow uneasy any time this information IS accepted readily. Your reluctance is encouraging to me.”

Taio looked at her, expecting something more, and turning his gaze back to the city below when it was apparent that she had nothing to add. “There is another matter which troubles me.”

“Princess Talia?”

“Am I so transparent?”

The Empress chuckled. “Taio, I am an ancient being with memories from many lifetimes. After several thousand years of existence, one learns how to read the faces of men. Although I have to admit, you are more difficult than most.”

Taio kept his gaze firmly ahead, determined now not to reveal even the smallest hint of what he was thinking to the Empress.

“What concerns you about Princess Talia?” she asked.

“It is – it is her history. Her past, I suppose. You say that we are the Sages, and what I have read of the Sages is that they possess incredible power, power beyond any wizard or human or beast. Power that could be abused if placed in the wrong hands –“

“Go on,” said the Empress, her voice low.

“All my life, I have been taught the lessons of the river, of adapting and accepting whatever may happen, even if what happens is devastating. The desire for – for vengeance is a sin. I understand that Princess Talia likely does not ascribe to the same beliefs I do, which is why I fear that her desire for vengeance will grow as she learns to wield her powers, whatever they may be. And if I am to accompany her in retrieving the seal, how can I keep us from being sidetracked by her desire for revenge?”

Janelyn stared at Taio, her crystal blue eyes narrowing slightly, judging him, weighing him. At last she said, “You must trust her, Taio. She has been wronged in an unforgivable way, and it would be unnatural to not desire vengeance. But desire and intent is not the same thing. As I have told you, the Sage of Magic and the Sage of Earth are linked, always have been, and always will be for as long as the Provider demands this duty of us.” She paused, grasping between two fingers one the red jewels that decorated her gown, pulling it loose, and holding it out for Taio to take. “You must trust her, Taio.”

He held out his hand, and the red jewel dropped neatly into it. As his fingers enclosed around the heavy gem, Janelyn placed a delicate hand on his shoulder.

“And you must trust me.”