All That Is Evil Is Not Dark/Chapter 20

Tralin sat in his cabin, the ship moving up and down on the waves. He moved ever so slightly as the ship when down and then spoke aloud.

"I know that you are here, Moglin. If you wish to sneak up on me, you shall have to try harder than that."

"Tralin!" The Moglin bounced happily. "I have heard they are making you king... I had to come."

"And you had to give it one more try, did you?"

"Always."

"One would think you would learn the foolishness of that course. The first several times you attempted to sneak up on me, you got wounded for your efforts and I myself am not in the best of places now, old friend." Tralin was not really mad at the Moglin, whose name was Nel. Far from it, his companionship was appreciated. They had met when Tralin was much younger, before his course as T'palo was even considered. In many ways, the Moglin were as mysterious a race as the Drakel to the humans, but the Moglin were generally considered unassuming, probably because of their general demeanor, while the Drakel where considered with suspicion and alarm.

"You are always so very serious. Furry lizards should be cuddly, not somber."

"I am NOT a furry lizard, Nel."

"You look like one..." Nel countered with a bounce. "I found something for you, Trae."

"Did you?" Tralin asked, wondering what it was, and wondering also for the first time how it was the Moglin had come to be in Stone Deep and aboard this ship heading for Deren to begin with.

Nel pulled open his belt pouch, revealing a small tattoo on his forearm: a green-feathered serpent, the No'ata, a nearly extinct jungle variety that was widely considered to be a token of good fortune when seen. The bright green of the serpent was very visible against the dark red of Nel's skin.

"You've had yourself inked. The No’ata I see...."

"Of course, Trae. I remember the jungle," Nel responded. "Don't you, Trae?"

"I remember, Nel."

"Everything is different now, Trae, isn't it? They say the Devourer has come..."

"They say that yes..."

"Has he?"

"I believe so. Certainly, the evidence supports that conclusion."

"That’s bad... That’s why, then..."

"That’s why what, Nel? And what have you for me?"

"A letter. I came to look for you because my cousin Twill told me that he has heard rumor of the elves and the Krutha'ri fighting in there. Why would your people fight the elves, Trae?"

"The Drak..." he said, starting to use the human word that had so become part of his tongue over the years. "The Krutha'ri are tormented by their demons, but mostly they seek some power against the Devourer. The elves are prideful: they long considered themselves the elder race and that the Krutha'ri and the Moglin can claim to be older galls their pride. They consider themselves immortal, after all. What comfort, then, in one who recalls a time before their coming?"

"They should have pride though, Trae, you know..."

"Of course they should; I never meant that they had no right to pride in what they were. Only that pride can easily become hubris and it is often the case that it does. Most likely, the Krutha'ri decided that what they were seeking was in the forests of the green folk and went to take it."

"And the elves objected?"

"The Dark Forest is sacred to them, and the Krutha'ri would no sooner tell the elves their purpose then they would tell the humans..."

"Yes, that too... that’s the other reason I came... it's what I have for you: a letter from Jano."

"You have met Jano?" Tralin responded. "And what did you think of the regent, then?"

"He is a kind and capable man. Who once shuddered under the impression that his own friend was among the most evil men he had ever known. He is burdened always by questions. If he remains regent, it will kill him. He is an honest ruler but it is not a job that could ever make him happy."

"I feared as much. He seemed reluctant when I left; at the time, I thought it merely the jitters of an unfamiliar position, but it seems more..."

"And no wonder, Trae... The people have taken the southern countryside."

"What?" Tralin asked, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"The Brilhado and the undead attacked Deren, and from nowhere the Krutha'ri came to the city's aid, but they demanded the country around Deren as their own. They drove all that lived in the reaches around from the city or to the opposite side. Jano was beside himself that he let Draynor's land fall into another's hands, but what could he do? And then when the message arrived that Draynor was dead and that you were returning.... Well, I had come to Deren, so I managed to secure transport on the ship coming to retrieve you, and volunteered to serve as the courier for Jano. Though I suspect his letter contains little more then what I already told you, Trae."

"Suspect?" Tralin asked incredulously. "You don't know for sure...?"

"I did not open your letter, Trae. What kind of Moglin do you take me for?"

"It is not the KIND of Moglin I take you for that is at issue. I take you to be Nel. Besides, it is obvious to me the seal on the scroll has be melted. You softened the wax, read the scroll, and tried to seal it again without breaking the seal. You did a good job, but I am not blind."

"Ok, so maybe I peeked a little."

"And?"

"You know... Same stuff.. only more worried... he is always worried. Something about the First Knight in there too..."

"What's that..."

"Oh, nothing much... Just that he is a spy for the temple..."