Emmeline was split off from the others and given a room. The light from the window illuminated the room. Outside she could see fields among the ruins that were recently planted and dozens of diminutive people tending those fields. Small houses dotted the nearby hills interspaced with ancient columns and ivy and moss-covered masonry. The old elf said someone would be here to answer his questions and soon enough there was a knock and a woman entered. It was Morgan.
After a brief introductory conversation where she dodged most questions about herself and made no promises concerning Roland’s future, Morgan used her mask to ‘become’ her true self. She excused herself and some time later returned with food and drink. “Let us eat and discuss your remaining questions.”
“I have a lot of questions regarding my children, Desmodia and her people, and how big the Historians anticipate this war to become,” Emmeline said. “Are you able to discuss those things with me?”
Morgan said, “You can ask. But understand that I can only go so far and ironically we don’t know much the further we move from a historical vergence or a personal nexus.”
“All right. Let’s save the question most important to me for last. I want to start with this war between Thalassa and the east — likely Malith. How big do you anticipate this becoming? How threatening for all the people of the League?”
“Likely highly threatening. Already is to those in Adera. It could be a series of skirmishes or a large general action. We don’t know. War is coming; however and many people will suffer.” she said calmly. “But we did not start this war. It is a consequence of the threat certain parties see that the League and Thalassa in general represent – on many levels.”
“So this has an impact on Thalassa’s future, as foreseen by Sidonius and tended by the Historians,” Emmeline said. “Given the uncertainties of war — even a stray arrow can turn the tide of a great battle — it would seem to me like you would have a lot of blank pages in your book regarding events surrounding this war. How do you as a group handle that?”
“Only when we absolutely have to handle it,” Morgan said. “Usually there are signs and portents that let us know where to be. In your example, we wouldn’t change the fact the arrow hit, but instead make sure someone appropriate is there to take up the mantle of leadership. Does that make sense?”
Emmeline nodded. “I understand. What about Desmodia and her people. It feels like something important could change due to her influence. What do you think?”
“Too minor,” Morgan said. “A few Tyaanites and a small group of refugees will not change the trajectory of the North; assuming Typhon Ne continues on her path. So ask yourself, let’s say this Desmodia becomes a threat. Would you not agree the Vale counters that threat?”
“Threats take on many shapes. This one I think is not a military one, so I may be more concerned about the well being of people that have suffered hardship more than anything,” Emmeline said. “So then about my children. Is there anything that involves them that you are aware of?”
She thought for a moment…
Then Morgan said, “The rituals and techniques we use do not allow for too much detail on any one person or even a village, city, or in come cases a nation. My visions tap into a myriad of possibilities and I am drawn to potential vergences and nexi. Most are nothing; some prepare for the future, some correct for the past. It is not an exact science by any means and by far the majority of the time we do as little as necessary. You three are a rare combination of three (or five) nexi converging on three vergences, two of the past and one of the future. It is fascinating to me. It hasn’t happened like this for quite some time. Your children do not play into these stories in any way I know of. But, I could use my abilities with them someday. It is always fluid, the future is.”
Emmeline seemed to take some comfort in the idea her children might not face the same dangers she did.
“You asked a little bit ago about whether I might join the historians. I said I was committed to something else, and I am. But I’m curious what that would have entailed or required of me had I answered differently. Can you tell me a little more about what it would have meant?”
“A little,” she said. “You would have begun walking a path to fulfill a purpose with no end, no victory, no defeat. Simply to save millions of lives yet unborn from death, oppression, and slavery. You would have studied to find peace and tranquility and derive control of body and mind. Of self first and in time influence those of others. All for a singular goal – to create a unified Empire. Not an Empire of control, oppression, or might – but one of reason, knowledge, and equality.”
After a pause, and before Emmeline could answer, Morgan added, “and we know a great many things.”
Em smiled. “It seems our goals are similar, just my focus is different.”
Morgan smiled back and looked Emmeline directly in the eyes, “You are so young. You have so many possibilities and are drawn in so many directions. At this point in your life I think you are happiest this way. An adventurer, a singer, a dancer, a mother, a savior, a hero, and a mentor. You do so many things. What you lack is focus and experience. But you’ll learn. Of that I have no doubt. Your toughest challenges and greatest pains still lie before you. I’m sorry for that. But, so are your greatest joys and most remarkable accomplishments. I envy your journey.”
Emmeline smiled wider. “Knowing that my best is yet to come is actually very reassuring, Morgan.”
“I’m glad you think so,” said Morgan. “But time is fickle when it comes to such details. Now your great grandchildren, that will be an interesting time.”
“Oh? Why do you say that?” Emmeline asked curiously.
“A hundred years from now, they will do something wonderful,” Morgan said obliquely.
“Okay, I get it. No spoilers,” Emmeline said with a little laugh. “How about something more immediate and practical? Do you or the other Historians know of a teleport circle other than the one in Azenkuul to return somewhere near Uzec?”
“Near Uzec? No, the Eterians built one in Adera and Dinan, the latter of which we are certain is destroyed.” she answered.
She added, “Emmeline, a piece of wisdom for you that I’ve learned, if I may? The question you should always ask yourself is, ‘will the knowledge of such a thing be good for me, but in the end not good for others.’ The immediacies of self-interest inevitably drive us, but rarely do people, adventurers in particular, think about the consequences of their actions. For us as Historians and citizens of Eternity, consequences are the everything. Which is why I helped destroy the temple of the Hateful One. It shouldn’t have been built, shouldn’t have been found by your group, and shouldn’t have been used by Hugo and Skall. You see, consequences matter. But it is hard to know.”
Emmeline shrugged and opened her hands. “I don’t have access to the knowledge historians have. I can only work with what I know.”
“Absolutely. The opposite is also true. If one knows what is to come, one can get lazy or one can control for everything to the point the world becomes safe, dull, and arrested.” Morgan noted. “You have to go with what you know. Think about the long-term, but act as best as you can. That is one of the underlying assumptions that Sidonius made about people. In large enough numbers, people err against certain principles. Every time, all the time. With the help of magic, mathematics, and the mind he was able to create a reality that though just enough planning and divination could make the world a better place for all.”
“Sadly,” she added, “the minimum time to do this was a thousand years.”
“What happens after that? After a thousand year tradition and the experiment comes to a close for good or ill, what is next?”
“When it is done, a new empire in the form of a republic will span the continent. Empire in the meaning of a nation of many nations with carefully crafted institutions that will reinforce the pillars of knowledge, freedom, equality and creativity. No evil gods, no demons, no depredators or nations driven by darkness or despair. This empire will then continue on its own and our role will be completed and Sidonius’ dream will be made real.”
Emmeline smiled but didn’t remark. “Do you have any questions for me?”
“Do you share the dream?” Morgan asked. “And by extension do you understand what happens if we fail?”
“For as long as Thalassa cares for its people, I shall support it. When it stumbles or fails, I’ll pick up the pieces as best I can,” Emmeline said. “I also have a dream. I believe they are compatible.”
“What is your dream Emmeline?” Morgan asked. “Not simply doing good in the world, for I know that is where your dream started. Nor is it saving the sidhe Mara. Your done those things, and very remarkable for someone your age. What is your dream now?”
“Those things are the first steps,” Emmeline said. “I’m bringing to life a place where fey and mortals can live together in harmony. It will be a new home for elves who lost theirs long ago, for fey to explore things lost to them and for humanity to reconnect with the soul of the world.”
She smiled. “Sidonius’ dream is a political one driven by the need for freedom and the right to have a good life. My dream is not so different, but the focus is on healing all that was best about the ancient spirit that once dwelled here. Thalassa must prune away the paths that lead to political corruption and moral starvation and shine the light of knowledge. In like fashion, I too must prune away the old prejudices and superstitions to bring forth ancient wisdom.”
“It is a lovely dream,” Morgan said.
“But if I can give you some advice – and you may not like it.” Morgan added. “What the fey consider peace and harmony and what humanity considers such are very different and growing more different every passing year. Unlike the fey, for many mortals reason trumps faith, iron and steel conquer wood and bronze, and science replaces magic. The world will someday be charted and the wild understood. Someday there will be no mysteries, just problems to solve. There is a place for your dream here – for a time at least. Enough so the good of old is preserved and the fey are a pleasant thought and not one to be feared.”
Emmeline shrugged. “The ‘reason’ of men is simply another place in which they place faith. If magic ever disappears, then the fey, and I, will be done with this world. That would be sad, because if magic fades away, so too will this world’s soul.”
Morgan nodded with a look of understanding, then replied, “magic is one window into the tapestry of the world – but only one. We – you and I – are parts of a greater consciousness and a greater truth than magic, fey, or humanity. We are the world made manifest – and the true magic is here,” she pointed at Emmeline’s heart, “and here,” pointing at her forehead.
Emmeline grinned. “Are you sure you aren’t religious? Because that is belief if I’ve ever seen it. And I have quite a lot.”
Morgan smiled, “In a matter of speaking. I do not follow any one diety or worship in way you would identify with. I am not not without religion, but mine requires no gods, no fey, no demons.”
She stepped back a bit and with a presence Emmeline hadn’t felt before from her said, “For myself and myself alone I have lived long enough and seen enough things to believe in many things including the worlds within worlds and the worlds beyond worlds. I’ve seen gods walk and the hand of necessity battle the wills of fate and whimsy of chance. None of this is all the truth and no one has it right. But, ultimately we have an ‘idea’, a tiny thread of the truth, and it is far more wonderful than you know. I serve that truth and I am proud to be where I am and doing what I am. My brothers and sisters are dreamers, shapers, singers, and makers. We study the mysteries of the mind and the body, magic and science, the radiance of time, and invocations of equations. These are the tools we employ, and we know many things.”
“Now that you know what my dream is, what do you think of it?” Emmeline wondered.
“I think it has merit. This is your dream, one that gives you purpose. What I think or do not think does not matter. It is part of you now. It too may change, like you have, as you learn more. But i envy your journey.” Morgan said with a smile.