Crystal Doors #3: Sky Realm (No. 3) Read Free

have assaulted our ships, our island, and our people, the best that can be said of you is that you ignored our existence for millennia — even when Barak’s merlons attacked us. How can you now expect us to trust you?” The Vir of Protection wore a Grecian-style gown of diaphanous crimson material. Her left hand rested on the decision crystal on her armrest. When lit, the turquoise crystal signified a Vir’s negative vote on an issue.
    Ulbar spread his webbed hands before the Pentumvirate. Though the spell allowed listeners to understand him, the merlon’s speech still sounded raspy and bubbly, as if his gills were full of phlegm. “We were at peace. Your presence did not affect us, nor did your war with distant Oo’regl. Your ships rarely travel past the boundary of crystal doors in this world, and we live far outside that circle. Safe. As chieftain of the city of Oo’sqibl, I felt that any disagreement between you and King Barak — half a world away from us — was irrelevant to my citizens.”
    At this, white-robed Etherya gave a faint smile. Vic had heard that the Vir of Arts was a great-grandmother already, but Etherya’s dark hair and clear voice made her seem much younger. “And are the people of Elantya now relevant?”
    Ulbar took a slithery step backward and bowed his head slightly. “King Barak and Azric have made you relevant.” The members of the Pentumvirate exchanged glances as the merlon went on. “I believe that Azric chose to corrupt those merlons that live closest to this island. Recently, Barak has become increasingly power mad. He began demanding tribute from cities that are far from his realm. He sent dark sages and an army against Oo’nisl and Oo’beebl, capturing many innocent merlons who opposed him. Even when Barak enslaved the chieftains of those cities, I and the more distant chieftains said nothing.
We
were safe, so it did not concern us. But now . . . Several days ago, a weary and tortured anemonite came to my city of Oo’sqibl. We fed and sheltered her and her kraega steed, and in return, she told us her story. She said several young land-dwellers had helped her people to escape Oo’regl, where King Barak had held them all captive. She explained King Barak’s plan to destroy everyone on Elantya, as well as his pledge to help the Dark Sage Azric in his quest to unseal the crystal doors and unleash his deathless armies on all the worlds.”
    “And that is what brought you here?” asked Questas, the blue-robed Vir of Learning. “You need our help?”
    “I propose an alliance.” Again, Ulbar bowed his head, as if in shame. “Two days ago, General Goldskin arrived in my city with a ruthless band of merlon warriors. She told us that Azric has left this world to gather his loyal followers through other crystal doors to join with King Barak in a great battle against Elantya. Goldskin demanded five hundred of my strongest warriors to join in Barak’s ‘holy cause’ of ridding Szishh of all land-dwellers. She warned if we did not fight beside them, they would return to destroy Oo’sqibl once their victory was complete. They would slaughter every adult merlon and take our children as slaves.”
    In alarm, Helassa rose halfway from her stone chair.
    Ulbar did not flinch, though he hastened to add, “To my great honor, everyone of my warriors swam with me in rejecting Goldskin’s demand. We drove her forces from Oo’sqibl. Barak and his armies have listened to false prophets. Their cause is not holy, and they will cause many deaths. Alas, they have coerced other tribes to fight beside them. Barak and his minions are your enemies. They are our enemies. We can fight together to defeat them while we protect as many good merlons as possible.” His fins fluttered and extended in a glorious, thorny frill. “It is the only honorable way we can free all merlons from the influence of an evil king and the evil sage.”
    “How could you help us?” Vir Parsimanias asked in clipped