The Nodys of Rahnsyl

The Nodus of Rahnsyl

By A. Sylvur

Word Count: 1621

For several weeks an ominous darkness enshrouded Rahnsyl. Since the darkness emerged and blocked their beloved sun, all the inhabitants formed speculations as to the reason for the sudden dilemma. They believed that if the right questions were asked, the answer would appear. So, everyone joined in and tried to impress their leaders with questions that would provoke a genius answer. For many days, questions were thrown around.

One group however didn’t ask questions, they believed they were being punished for infidelity and were outraged at the injustice. Needless to say, that group’s leader never went with the other great leaders to Sarbat, who met weekly since the endless night began.

Farms and vegetation were in danger of becoming extinct as well as the non-magical beings who couldn’t survive without the sun. All they could do was complain, which was the extent of their power. However, the magical beings were not so troubled by the sun’s disappearance. For light, they cast a spell and for nourishment they simply zapped themselves to another planet not in jeopardy.

So, once again a majority of Rahnsyl’s leaders gathered in King Lyns’s castle. They scattered around the oddly shaped extravagant table with pointy jeweled seats. As the Admonisher King Syn A’ryk of Toronl took his seat, he could have sworn the table was oval the week before. And the week before that it had been round. He shrugged it off then slowly sat on the cushion that stabbed his buttocks. Briefly he glanced at the reptilian king whom he was sure enjoyed the cushions.

“Are you comfortable, Syn A’ryk?” inquired the reptilian King. His snake eyes glittered with mockery. His fleshy scales faded in from his cheeks then disappeared into the collar of his hand woven mersilk shirt. The jewels afforded his old scales itch relief through his clothing, because at his age re-growth was non-existent.

With a forced smile, A’ryk replied, “All is well, Di Vad.” But to himself he added, “You scaly fiend. Creature of the incubus spirit.” The reptilian king looked his way and again he smiled as Di Vad’s daggered claws drummed on the jeweled table with threatening precision.

Bored, King Noc Nok of Atosen resumed the question game and asked, “Any more theories to add? Or is it the end. Depleted of ever finding an answer?”

King Synclor of Quan, also known as the Dark One, thought up another question. “Eee it oo nis oo Nn ee vuh?”

“What language are you speaking?” Lyns asked.

“He said is it Unis or Neva,” confirmed a soft feminine voice from behind.

All heads turned to the newcomer overwhelmingly impressed that she understood the Dark One. Her entire being was covered in a satin robe embroidered with different colored lace.

“Who are you?” the king of the castle asked.

She approached the table. “My father,” she pointed to Synclor, “invited me to speak for him.”

Lyns repeated, “Synclor. I distinctly remember telling everyone that Lishyn was to be the only language spoken at our conferences and all guests were to be approved by me in advance. This is my home. Hello.”

Synclor’s towering dark figure stood up in outrage as his petite daughter approached him. “I wus speeing ithin, oo inant foos.” He moaned then reclaimed his seat and held his jaw as his daughter patted his arm.

“That was not Lishyn.” A’ryk added with a spiteful smile.

The young woman pushed back her hood to reveal blonde hair piled on top of her head behind a tiara. Her pale features were quite the opposite of her father. “My name is Jewels.” She glared at A’ryk, “But my father’s enemies may call me, your Highness.”

The Admonisher of Toronl replied, “Good, Synclor has a translator.”

Synclor winced then whispered something to his daughter, who grinned in reply.

“What did he say?” Lyns demanded.

“You don’t want to know.” Jewels shook her head. “And it was not important.”

“Are you sure that Unis was the one that split?” Noc Nok asked.

King of Sarbat answered, “Yes, A’ryk. We are absolute that Unis obscures our flaming moon.”

The northern admonisher lifted a questioning brow. “Flaming moon?”

Synclor threw up his hands. “Ahss oo inant moe ta. Dint oo fet messa? It wus oonanus.” He instantly regretted the outburst and moaned.

“We changed the name of our sun, magical humans.”

“We prefer to be called Admonishers, mer creature.” A’ryk threw back and Noc Nok voiced his agreement.

“Whatever. Oh, my father said, ‘Yes, you ignorant man. Didn’t you get the message? It was unanimous.’”

Lyns snapped his fingers. “Synclor, you need help and I can help you.”

Synclor’s eyes widened and moaned a protest.

Three Sarbatian guards entered the conference chamber and took King Synclor who towered over them.

“Don’t worry, Synclor,” Lyns waved as did the other kings. “You will be back soon. After all this is a peaceful gathering, so your daughter will be safe and we accept her in your place.”

“Where are you taking my father?” Jewels demanded.

“To see my Doyen Dyren. He will heal his jaw in no time at all. Dyren is a Jinn.”

The King opened his mouth. Fearful he would explain, she interrupted, “No need to explain what a Jinn is, I already know they grant wishes for favors.”

Synclor could be heard protesting until the doors to the conference room were finally shut.

“Now,” Lyns leaned back in his chair. “We’ve been sharing very impressive questions these past weeks. But now I want to know if there are any impressive answers.”

She waited for what seemed like hours while they mumbled to themselves before she decided to speak. “Has anyone contacted Nodus?”

All eyes turn to stare at her in awe. The wizard’s name was whispered in fear as well as respect around the table. A few kings looked around the room, fearful he would appear just having said his name.

Di Vad asked, “Who will find the wizard?”

“I will.” Jewels volunteered cheerfully.

The sound of shattered glass drew everyone’s attention.

Everyone turned to Noc Nok, whose glass was on the floor.

“The table,” he stared at the broken glass and said, “it moved. If I would have been eating, my food would be in my lap.”

“Oh, yes. It was a gift from my mother‑in‑law. Do be careful.”

All the kings scooted their chairs away from the table.

Noc Nok added, “Well. Anymore deprivation of our sun, uh, flaming moon and crops will completely die and we have all ready lost a lot of cattle.”

Di Vad averted his head and mumbled an apology.

Noc Nok eyed the reptilian king as he stood. “I heard that you, you . . . you demon!”

“I apologized on behalf of my people.” He hit the table and it bounced. “What more does he want?”

“I want you to pay for what you stole!” Noc Nok threateningly grabbed the hilt of his sword.

Terrifying screams down the hall interrupted the small dispute that was on the verge of a full blown war. Silence filled the room, which was rare. The kings watched the conference doors and waited for the intrusion. Footsteps stomped towards them. The kings pushed away from the table, stood and readied their swords. The doors opened slowly to reveal a robed figure. On the robe was a large symbol on the left shoulder. No one dared to move and some were afraid to breath. It was the wizard’s symbol. Many felt it was the end of the world, because the great wizard hasn’t been seen for hundreds of years. He approached the table and was about to touch it, but paused over it.

“Novice.” He shook his head then zapped the table then removed his hood to reveal a smile. “It won’t change again.”

The kings quickly dropped their weapons and clapped.

Concerned with the lack of light, Jewels boldly asked, “Nodus, do you know anything about the flaming moon’s death?”

“Flaming moon?” The wizard was confused.

“Our sun,” she acknowledged. “We changed its name.”

He took a step towards her. “Your name, beautiful lady?”

“Princess Jewels of Quan. My father is Synclor.”

“Ah. I know your father. You have my sympathies.” He turned away to address King Lyns. “I’m here to tell you that I split the moon you call Unis.”

Again they all clapped and when he held up his hand they fell silent.

Jewels asked, “Why?”

“For more light in the evening.” His lifted a single blond brow. “Am I the only one who works in the evening?”

The kings shook their heads and mumbled their agreement with the wizard though they didn’t work at all.

“How about more light in the daytime?” She lifted a brow of her own in defiance. “I work in the day.”

Nodus studied her for several minutes before he said, “You’re only seeing one view.”

“How many views are there?”

The kings’ heads bounced between the debaters.

“Well,” the wizard began, “you are looking from the front view. Personally, I think the side view might reveal that the moons are not fused together.”

“When will the sun come out?”

“Tomorrow evening,” Nodus announced with confidence.

Noc Nok frowned. “But it is morning now.”

Relieved they understood, Nodus exhaled. “Yes. I’ll only need a full day to get your sun, uh, flaming moon out from behind the other moons. There’s really no need to thank me.”

Again several clapped.

“Well, glad we had this chat. I’ll try to let you know in advance the next time I make such extreme changes.”

“Thank you?” Jewels questioned, somewhat confused about why she said it.

He bowed to her then winked before he disappeared.