A secret is only as safe as the one you assign to protect it.

Adir Radd, Hope in Darkness

“We have to get in there,” Ianus began to pace around the bridge.

“After that display of power, I suggest we don’t try to land within the walls,” Maya returned to the communication station.

“According to legend, there are four gates into Tai-Wer located near each of the four rivers,” said Khensu, “One in the north, another in the south, and one in the east and the west.”

“But how are we going to get past the guardians?”  Daru asked.  “They have successfully stopped people from passing for millennia.”

“We’ll deal with them when the time comes,” said Ianus as confidently as he could muster, but he had a hard time believing his own words.

Confused, he listened to the swirling suggestions and arguments that surrounded him.  He wondered where Tara had run off to.  Why had she stolen the To’asaa again?  Sorrow overwhelmed him, and he saw her in pain.

She struggled with a great darkness.  Ianus understood the war waging through her mind.  It was the same in his own.  Minor choices had swollen into titanic forces that threatened to devour them both.  In everyone’s life the time comes to decide whether to be controlled by their past, or to take control over their own life.  Things that seemed so trivial at the time had developed into so many nightmares and vicious chills that hunger for every bit of available free time.

Ianus could just go home to Shiloh and live a comfortable life.  There was no reason for him to go on except for his own curiosity.  The voices had told him to go, but was that really a reason to dare the darkness ahead?  He had taken up vows, and done everything in his power to save his father.  Why risk everyone for a blind quest into the unknown?

He stared at the vacant territory within the walls.  Now, he could make up his own mind.  There was only the nagging desire to unmask the phantoms that had led him to this place, and revenge.  They had murdered his father, after all.

A sinister grin crept across his face.

“Unless there are any arguments,” Ianus said, “We should land at the south gate, and travel north into Tai-Wer.  If you are going to do something foolish, you might as well do it right.  After we land, we will split up and explore the city.  Hopefully, we can find out where we’re going.  We’ll meet at the gate at sunset to figure out our next move.”

There was no argument.

“Aashen, please come with me,” said Ianus, “The rest of you take the ship down.”

Ianus and Aashen left the bridge, and made their way toward the docking hatch.

“What did you want?”  Aashen asked.

“You know I’ve always trusted your advice.”

“I don’t know why?  I am a silly sort of person.  I guess it is kind of funny that anyone would take me seriously.”

“I suppose it is.  After all, you are the closest thing I have to an Uncle other than Pryor.”

“Would that make Tuun an aunt?”

“No, he is more the grumpy uncle that you don’t talk about often.  Anyway, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the future.  Since the ship has been designated a sovereign vessel, I thought we might petition the Camarilla for a monastic charter.”

“Really?  There hasn’t been an itinerant monastery in the order for at least a century.  It is an interesting idea, but I’m afraid you’re not ready to be abbot, and I won’t take the job.  So if that’s why you wanted to see me, forget about it.”

“No,” Ianus laughed, “That isn’t what I had in mind.  I was wanting to ask Maya to be the Abbess.  She has more than enough experience, and I think she would be perfect.”

“And we could ask Pryor to be the Prior!”  Aashen chuckled.

Ianus shook his head, “We are a sovereign vessel, we would have a castellan or seneschal, depending of course on how we organize ourselves.”

“Don’t you think all of this is a little premature.  We don’t even know if we’ll survive Tai-Wer yet.”

“Dad always said that the first mark of failure is neglecting to make future plans.  I have to believe we’ll come back.  It gives me strength.”

“Courage can overpower just about everything.”

“Quite right,” Ianus said somberly.  The future was all he had to hold on to.  He feared letting go of any hope, no matter how small.  Without hope, there was nothing to carry him forward.  “I will forward the proposal to the Camarilla before we disembark.  I’ve been wondering why Ihy spent so much money on this ship.  I think he knew it would give us all a place to call home, wherever we are.”

The streets of South Gate were packed full of pilgrims and citizens, rushing around, milling about the carts and tables of the open-air market.  Maya, Pryor, and Daru filtered through the crowd.

One of the tables was full of statues and sculptures, probably Eidolons.  Two men stood behind the table unpacking merchandise.  Daru noticed the fine workmanship on their deep red robes.  One of them looked familiar.  His shaggy brown hair danced in the breeze.  He rubbed a silver nail hanging from his necklace.  She caught his hazel eyes.

“Excuse me,” she said, tapping the table in front of him. 

“Hello, miss, can I help you?  We have eidolons of all sorts, and if we don’t have what you’re looking for just let me know.  We do make custom models.  Mind you, it will take time.”

“This is going to sound weird, but have you ever been to Garm?”  She asked carefully.

“Yes, Miss, we are traveling sales men.  We left there a couple of weeks ago.  Why?”

“I think I bought a Benben-stone from you when I was stationed in Balder on Garm.”

The man’s face went pale, “You bought it for a friend’s birthday.  Did he like it?”

“Yes, he loved it.”

“Good, would you like to purchase something else?  We have a marvelous series of sphinxes that are brilliant in their advice.”

“No, thank you, it is strange running into you again all these light years away.”

“It’s fate.  We have wonderful merchandise.  My name is Rasmus Dyre, but most people call me Ras or Rasi.  Here, take this.”

He handed her a carved, tiger’s eye unicorn pendant.

“Thank you, but I really don’t have the money to spare.”

“It’s on me, don’t worry about the money.  Wear it in good health.  It is guaranteed to bring you good fortune.”

Daru smiled, and put the necklace on.  “I will, thank you Rasi.  My name is Daru.”

“You’re looking for something aren’t you?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, how did you know?”

“You’re friends are trying to attract your attention.”

Maya and Pryor were waving their arms.  

Daru said goodbye, and weaved through the crowd to meet them near the wall.  Pilgrims were praying and stuffing little notes in between the sand stone blocks of the wall.  The river Gihon flowed under an arch near the gate itself.

There was an excited whisper among the pilgrims.  

A statuesque man with soft chiseled features emerged from behind the gate.  His soft azure skin illuminated his black cassock and crimson cloak.  A silver nail hung from his necklace

“I know him,” Pryor muttered, “That’s Valeryn Kamau, we trained together years ago.”

“He’s a Raewyn!”  Daru exclaimed, “He’s a member of the Jade Moon?”

“Yes, we used to be very close.”  A hint of longing filled Pryor’s words.  He could not take his eyes off of him.  “I wonder what he’s doing here.”

“Are you blind?  He just strolls out of Tai-wer, and all you can say is you wonder what he’s doing here.”

Pryor conceded the point, and they went over to him.  

Valeryn and Pryor hugged.  

Pryor introduced everyone.

“So what are you doing here?”  Valeryn asked.

“I should be asking you that,” said Pryor, “We are here to support a friend, and you?”

“I’m here on business.  Master Theron wants me to investigate some persistent rumors.”

“Is it dangerous in there?”  Daru asked.

“Why?  You’re not thinking of an expedition into Tai-wer, are you?”  Valeryn sighed, “O, I see.  Beware the gates, they are guarded by eidolons.  They almost killed me the first time through, but I’ve learned their secret.  They don’t like strangers.  Once they get to know you, they can be quite helpful.”

“How did they get to know you?  Could you introduce us?”

“I would rather not talk about this right now.  I hope I’m not being rude, but all I’ve talked about for weeks, is Tai-wer.  I would prefer to talk about what you’ve been up to all these years,” he put his arm around Pryor’s shoulders.

“Only if you do the same.”  Pryor said, “I wouldn’t mind catching up with you, but I will not prattle on about myself if you don’t.”

“Are you a teacher now?”

“I have an apprentice, but other than that, no.  And you?  You always wanted to work in the security service.”

“They put me in the Intelligence service,” Valeryn laughed, “It’s close.”

Maya nudged Daru, with her elbow, and they walked away to give them some privacy.

“I can’t believe he’s found Valeryn again after all these years,” said Maya, “After temple, they were posted on different worlds and lost touch.  You couldn’t imagine how hard it was on Pryor to have to let go of his love...”  Maya turned to wipe a tear from her eye.

“Yea,” Daru said “He used to tell me stories about their adventures in temple.  Excitement and adventure around every corner.”

Faroh and Cythraul arrived at East Gate, and commanded their helmsman to wait on the ship.  The sun was beginning to set on Adrakaya.  Bells were sounding all over the city, inviting the faithful to evening prayer.

By the time they reached the wall, all of the pilgrims had departed.

“This is the gate to Tai-wer!”  Faroh said, “It is forbidden.  No one who enters will survive.  Everyone knows that.”

“Are you afraid?”  Cythraul snickered.

“I fear nothing!”

“We shall see.” 

Cythraul bowed toward the gate.  The torches on either side of the gate burst to life.

“Hail, o August Guardian of the East, who is born of the morning sun.”

Mist flooded the opening.  A silver and black figure appeared on the threshold.

“Hail to you, great Hlachar Cythraul, why have you returned?”  The guardian’s eyes fixed on Faroh.

“I have come to reclaim my former estate.”

“You have said this before, is this your new champion?”

“Maybe, I wish to take him to the Parcae.”

“I am sorry.  You may pass, but I cannot allow him to enter.  You know the law.”

“I do.  I also know that you must allow him entry, if I demand it.”

“You are allowed this right, according to the covenant, but I must know if you demand this.  The Enmadra must be told.”

Cythraul walked past the sentinel into Tai-wer, “I’m afraid I can’t allow that.  Faroh!  Take him out, if you want what I promised you.”

The guardian turned to face Faroh.  “I would advise against attacking me.  No one has ever survived.”

Faroh closed his eyes, and formed a halberd with his periapt.  “Let me pass,” he steadied his voice.

The sentinel forged a short sword and a dirk.

Delight filled Faroh, it had been a while since he had been in a fight.  He longed for combat.  Twirling the halberd around his body, he cautiously approached his adversary.

The guardian stood his ground.

“This is your last chance!”  Faroh exclaimed.

The sentinel remained silent.

Faroh swung the halberd’s blade at him.

Thrusting the dirk into the air, the guardian deflected the halberd, and slashed at Faroh with the sword.

One step back, Faroh leaned his weight into the fulcrum of the halberd and dirk.  He rolled away from the edge of the sword, and flipped into the air.  Falling back, his feet pounded the sentinel’s shoulders.

The guardian slid to his right, quickly.

Faroh lost his balance and fell to the ground.  Looking up, he saw a diamond lodged in the keystone of the arch.

“You’re an eidolon!”  He exclaimed, and jumped to his feet. 

The sentinel lunged forward.  Landing with his hands on the ground, he wrapped his ankles around Faroh’s throat, and tossed him like a rag doll.

Faroh caught the ground with his right hand, and rolled to his feet.

“Cease this pointless combat!”  The guardian yelled, “You cannot defeat me.  Yield.”

“Never, I will win!”

The sentinel charged Faroh.

Blocking every punch, Faroh focused on his periapt.  He intercepted each fist, then grabbed his opponent’s arms.  With all his might, Faroh shoved the guardian to the ground.

Faroh ran toward the gate.  The sentinel was right behind him.  Jumping, Faroh ripped the diamond out of the keystone.

The guardian punched him hard in the back.

Faroh dropped the gem.  Struggling to breathe, he dodged the sentinel’s kicks.  Faroh focused into his periapt.

A cold, black flame shot from Faroh’s hand, engulfing the diamond.  Sparks showered from the gem, and it exploded.

The sentinel vanished.

Cythraul laughed and applauded, “You may in fact be the person I am looking for.  He should have killed you.”

“He would have if Panthera hadn’t taught me how to destroy eidolons.  I am getting tired of your tests old man.”

“There is one more, should you survive it, I will deliver on my promise.”

Ianus sat on the steps of the Nar’han Inn.  The rest of the Valkyrie’s crew was inside preparing for dinner.  Ianus wanted some time alone under the stars.  He missed the quiet of Al-Benu.  He missed laying out under the star laden sky until he could barely keep his eyes open.  Then he would crawl up to his room and collapse onto his bed, and sleep until the bells rang for Morning Prayer.

Sakkara exited the Inn, “They are about to serve the food,” she said, “Ianus should come inside, he will need his strength.”

“Sit down,” Ianus patted the stair next to him, “How have you been?”

“Sakkara has been spending most of her time reading.  She wants to know everything that she can about the forbidden lands.  She wants to help Ianus.  Sakkara is a good apprentice.”

“That you are.  You know, you don’t have to come with us.”

“Sakkara knows, but where Ianus goes, his apprentice will follow.  Ianus shouldn’t worry about Sakkara.  She is a mighty warrior.”

“And I’m sure you will be an excellent maker.  The next few days will be hard.”

“Sakkara knows, Daru is worried about Ianus.  Sakkara told her, He is powerful and wise.  He will prevail over all his adversaries.  She is still worried.  Sakkara doesn’t think Daru believed her.  Sakkara doesn’t think anyone but Ianus and Tuun believe her.”

“Tuun thinks I have a chance?”

“O yes, he has faith in Ianus, too.”

Ianus stood up, “Thank you, Sakkara, I needed that.”

He and Sakkara entered the inn.  Pryor beckoned from the head of one of the tables.  Ianus walked over, and sat next to him, and a Raewyn, Pryor introduced as Valeryn.

Valeryn looked familiar, like he had known him all his life.  Strange emotions swirled in him.  There was so much he wanted to say, or that was left unsaid.  Ianus was certain they had never met before, but he knew him.

The food was brought out, and they started to eat.

“So, what are you doing here?”  Ianus asked.

“Master Theron has been in a craze, lately.  There’s something wrong with him,” Valeryn said, a note of familiarity in his voice.  He watched Ianus carefully.

“You are the third person to tell me that he’s been acting strange.  Do you know what’s going on?”

“He believes that something bad is about to happen to the Jade Moon, or at least that’s what he says.  Personally, I think he’s more afraid of losing power.  He sent me here to talk to the A’nath-ari, but I can’t find any proof that they are even there.”

“But you’ve braved Tai-wer and returned.  I would love to hear what you know about the place.”

“He doesn’t want to talk about it,” said Pryor protectively.

Ianus didn’t like it, but he wanted to get on Valeryn’s good side, so he filled his plate and dropped the subject.

He desperately wanted to ask where he knew Valeryn from.  He could tell by Valeryn’s furtive glances, that he was not the only one experiencing a little deja vu.  Jealousy clawed at him.  There was something in the way Pryor and Valeryn were talking that made him want to get between them, to stop them from talking.

After dinner, the wine was served.

Valeryn stood up, and raised his glass, “May I have your attention.  I would like to congratulate Master Barami on his appointment to the Camarilla to take the seat left vacant by the untimely death of Master Betzalel.  A toast- peace and long life to the Camarilla, and all who serve her!”

The others raised their glasses to Barami.

Ianus watched him blush at the other table.

“Ihy was suppose to have that seat.”  Maya whispered in Ianus’ ear, “He received his notice the night before the incident.”

“He would have served well,” said Ianus.

“I agree,” said Valeryn as he sat down, “It is a shame what happened to Master Khem.”

“That’s why we’re here.  The people responsible for his death are in Tai-wer.”

“Are you sure?”

“Well, no, but they did tell me to go there.”

Daru walked up behind Ianus and rested her hand on his shoulder, “May I have a word with you in private?”

Ianus excused himself from the table and they went outside.

Daru stared at the three moons.  The tortured black moon loomed close to the horizon.  The jade moon was beginning to wane, and the red moon was high in the sky.  “I don’t know why you have to do this, and don’t worry— I’m not going to try to talk you out of it again.  I know you have your reasons, and that’s good enough for me.  Before we go, there is something I have to tell you.”  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  “Ianus, I love you.”

All of the color flushed from her face.  Ianus brushed a tear away from her eye.

“I love you, too,” he said automatically.  “I always have, and I always will.  No matter what happens.”  A thought of Valeryn flashed in his mind.

Daru threw her arms around Ianus’ neck, and he wrapped his arms around her waist.  He held her so tight, he could almost feel himself melting into her.  He had longed for this moment for years, he was not going to let go.

Tara had Sangrida land in the small village of Achates on the other side of Adrakaya from the forbidden lands.  She knew that the small monastery of Rohan was used for Predicants making retreat.  She wouldn’t draw too much attention showing up unannounced, and she could stay as long as it took to figure out how to get her life straightened out.  It was safer to be surrounded by strangers than to be alone.  If Panthera came after her, he would be more cautious around a group.

The village of Achates was nothing more than a series of small cottages built of mossy, gray stones and thatch roofs.  The monastery was built in the same way.  A large building with an expansive cemetery surrounding it.

Tara had studied a map of the campus before leaving the Sangrida, so she went directly to the prior’s office.  

A man was sitting behind the desk.  He had short brown hair and green eyes.  His skin was quite fair.  He didn’t look much older than Tara.

“Hello, madam,” he said looking up from his book, “I am Kanu Vasin, may I help you?”

“I am Tara Leal, I would like a room.”

“Are you here for retreat?  How long will you be staying with us?”  Kanu wrote her name into the guest book.

“I don’t know.  I need some time to reflect on my life.”

“Doubting your vocation?  We get a lot of that.  People love to go to the country when they have doubts about what they should do.  I have to warn you, just because it is quieter here than it is in the city, that doesn’t make it any easier to concentrate.  The distracting clatter is always in your mind, not your environment.”

“I understand that.  May I stay here?”

“I also have to warn you, that almost everything in the monastery has been enchanted to aid seekers in their quest for truth.  So, don’t be shocked if anything strange happens.  The beds will enhance your dreams, the mirrors will show your mental states, and several of the doors will not open if you are not focused or prepared for what lay behind them.  If you understand these warnings as I’ve explained them to you, please sign here,” Kanu pushed the ledger toward her and pointed to the signature line.

Tara signed the book, “Are the doors a problem?”

“I wouldn’t call them a problem, but I did get locked in the chapel of self-reflection once.  I ended up fasting for three days.  Only after I received a vision did the door unlock and release me.”

“Has anyone ever died in any of the chapels?”

“Not in about a century.  Some thieves once broke into the chapel of hope and charity,” Kanu chuckled, “Unfortunately they refused to reform and starved to death, but that was an exception.  Okay, you will have room forty while you’re here.”  Kanu stood up and rifled through a drawer looking for the key.

“You are very young for a prior, aren’t you?”

“O, no, I’m not the prior.  I’m just filling in for Prior Lasse.  He’s at a regional conference until the end of the week.”

Finding the right key, he led her out of the office, and over to the abbey.  They took a spiral staircase up three flights of stairs, and down the hall to room forty.  Kanu unlocked the door.

“The bell is rung before prayers,” he said, “And meals are served after services.  If you need anything, just ask.  We are all here to help.”

“Thank you.  Have you ever questioned your faith?”

“When I was young, my parents died, and I was left to an orphanage.  The monks and nuns tried to console me.  They kept saying that everything happens for a reason.  That only made me angry.”

“What did you do?”

“I rebelled, of course.  I was a real troublemaker, but something deep inside me kept calling out for more.  Both of my parents were makers.  I longed for the magic and the ritual.  Soon, I just couldn’t take it anymore, and I went to the monastery and began my training.  I couldn’t say why, but it was something I had to do.”

“I hope we can talk again later.”

“Any time.”

Tara entered her room and closed the door behind her.  It was good to be somewhere no one knew her.  She was free from her past, if only she could free herself from her present.

She walked over to the dresser, and gazed at her reflection in the mirror.  The image was sad and stooped over.  Suddenly a tear ran down its cheek, and the image shattered and crumbled to the floor.  The mirror was blank.

It was midnight, and Adrakaya’s three moons lit the cobblestone road in front of South Gate.  The group had assembled with all of the supplies they needed for their excursion into the forbidden lands.

Valeryn pulled Ianus aside, “I have to ask you before we enter— Are you sure you have to do this?  I can do my best to get you past the guardian, but the risk is more than you can imagine.”  There was a personal urgency to his voice.  Something lurked behind his words.

“I know, but I have to do this.  My destiny awaits within these walls.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Valeryn patted Ianus on the arm, and went off to join the others, “In a moment we will be passing through the gates to Tai-Wer.  If you are not absolutely sure you want to be with us, leave now.  Once we are past the threshold there will be no turning back.”

Everyone stood their ground.  Ianus hoped that some of them would turn back, but he was in part grateful that none of them left him.  Their loyalty and curiosity was too strong.  

Valeryn turned, and bowed toward the gate, “Hail, o August Guardian of the South, child of the noon day sun.”

Mist flooded the gate, two hooded figures in black robes emerged from the threshold.  “Hail Valeryn,” their voices thundered in unison, “Have you brought others to challenge and slay us?”

“No!  Why would you even ask such a thing?”

“Hlachar Cythraul has.  He brought another with him to slay our brother.  Now the east gate is unprotected.”

“Why are there two of you?  If one is dead, why are their more of you now?”

“We thought it was better for us to multiply, so this travesty cannot occur again.  There are now three of us at each gate.  Our third is helping the others repair the east gate.”  They lowered their heads and held hands.  The Raewyn betrayed their allies, we cannot let you pass.  The covenant is broken.”

“No!”  Valeryn shook his fists, “Are you sure it was Cythraul?  He should be dead by now.”

“We are sure that Cythraul is the culprit.  He is not dead.”

“But he was banished from the Empyrean.  There is no way he could have survived this long on his own.”  Valeryn said dryly with a hint of loss.

Ianus thought he didn’t believe what he was saying.

“He was banished?”  The Guardian asked, “Then he was not acting on behalf of the Empyrean?”

“No, he revolted against the throne, he and all of his followers were banished.  They cannot return to the Empyrean ever.  He was working on his own.”

“If what you are saying is true than you will be allowed entry.”

“Might I make a suggestion.  Allow us entry, then verify my story.  If it isn’t true then do not allow us to leave.”

The two guardians looked at each other, “You know the rules, we can allow you to enter with your guests, but we must inform the Enmadra of their arrival.”

“We have nothing to hide.”

“Then you will allow us to read each of you before you pass.  All who agree may pass.  We will report everything that we find.”

“Agreed,” Valeryn walked between the guardians.

They laid their hands on his shoulders, then released him, “You may pass.  Lord Barami, we have heard much about you, you are next.”

Barami stumbled forward; beads of sweat ran down his face.  They stared at him.

“Interesting,” they said, “You may pass.”

Barami sighed, and joined Valeryn on the other side.

“Ianus Akeru,” the sentinels chimed, “We wondered when we would see you.”

Ianus walked between them.  He felt something like a cold breeze blowing through him.

“You are different then we expected,” the sentinels said, “Strange, you seem to be born of two fathers and two mothers, but do not worry, Ihy will always be with you.  He is more a part of you than you know.”

“What do you mean?”  Ianus asked.

“Your reasons for coming here are your own, do not wonder anymore.  The hands that seek your end are blind to what they have done.  We will allow you to pass.”

Ianus was confused, but went to join Valeryn and Barami.

“Lady Daru,” the guardians bowed, “You may pass.”

“Why aren’t you going to read her!”  Barami protested.

“There is no need to read what we already know.  If you doubt our judgment we will scan you again to see if we missed anything.”

Barami scowled at the implication.

The two sentinels bowed again to Daru, “You may pass my lady.”