literature

The Southwinds I 7

Deviation Actions

corrvo's avatar
By
Published:
1.5K Views

Literature Text

THE THREE

___________________________________________________________Sanctum of the Sibyls, Kalahasi – 35'6'195'5

The silence was finally broken.  

<We are agreed then?> the smooth timbre of a female voice filled the darkened chamber.

Advocate Skalfen stood motionless in the small cone of light shining down from a spotlight fixed into the high arched ceiling.

<Yes.  Our triumvirate is agreed> a second, more florid, disembodied voice spoke up.  <The Advocate's proposition holds promise.  His reasoning is sound.  The eventuality of an optimal outcome is too great to cast aside.>

Skalfen gave the voice the subtlest regarding glance. Optimal outcome? He thought. He would have to bring this to Kalén's attention.  His daughter's stubbornness in this matter wasn't surprising to him, but maybe, with the weight of the Three Sibyls' voices behind him, Kalén would change her attitude.  The Sibyls' agreement was worth the better part of the last month it had taken to get this audience with them.  Fewer questions would be asked, more birds would embrace his cause - birds like Kalén.

"Thank you," the hawk glared into the darkness.  

Skalfen was about to turn and walk out of their hallowed sanctum when the second voice continued. <If we are to proceed where countless generations before have failed, the time must be soon.  Acting now would be preferable.  Doors must be opened.  Paths must be laid bare.>

Another silence followed.  Skalfen peered in the direction the voices came from.  He couldn't see them – no bird was allowed to see the Three Sibyls.  But he knew they could see him.  They were undoubtedly scrutinizing his every motion, every flicker of his tail, every twitch in his face.  This statement was meant for his ears.  It was meant to keep him there.   The Three never said anything unless they deemed it absolutely necessary.

The hawk stood there cold and emotionless, staring into the blackness.    The only hint of any existence beyond the thick veil of shadow and voice was the soft pulsating glow of the runner lights that encircled the sizable chamber.  They would brighten to a rich violet then dim so much they threatened to disappear completely, before illuminating again.

The Sibyls' voices fell silent now that they once again had the Advocate's attention.  They must be thinking – conversing in their own incomprehensible way, heard by none but themselves.  Skalfen stood patiently, knowing they would say more.  What reason would they have not to? He thought.  He had their acknowledgement - the only thing he had come for - but they clearly wanted him to stay.  Yes, they must be conversing.

Then suddenly, the First voice spoke.  <Advocate Skalfen, you must act soon.>

<We have your assurance?> the Second added.

Skalfen did not respond immediately.  The Three Sibyls could converse in silence, but so could he think in silence.  His thoughts and mind were safe from them – the Three were oracles, not mind readers.  Something was troubling him about the Three's apparent eagerness in all this.  It stirred in him.  With a few short words from the Three, the 'optimal outcome' no longer seemed to apply to his plan alone – or maybe even at all.  There was too much to consider.  Skalfen did not have the shared minds of the Sibyls nor their sheer capacity for instantaneous thought.  He would have to bide his time – figure out what they seemed to already know.

The Advocate had dealings with the Three before and never did they voice an invested interest in any bird.  A bird would come to them, ask their guidance, and the Sibyls would give them their answer.  Their collective voice was oracle enough to lend backing to even the most absurd plan if they agreed it should be so.   Yet, with Skalfen, they seemed intent on getting his 'assurance' to act, as if they questioned his resolve in the matter.  But what did it matter to them?  What optimal outcome did THEY see in his scheme to bring the Iscona under the wings of the Havan?

<Advocate Skalfen, you hesitate.  Why is this?> the First asked.
The hawk still did not respond.  There was something even more troubling:  One voice had yet to speak – the Third.  Her silence did not escape his notice.  Three oracles, yet only two had spoken.

"No," Skalfen answered the waiting shadows.  He had no intention of being used for some secret agenda.  "I will not act yet."

<You disagree with the Three?  You come to the Three seeking backing.  You have our backing.  We require your assurance.> the Second Sibyl asserted.  <Is our answer not advantageous to your motives?> Her soothing voice failed to persuade Skalfen.

"It is clearly not the right time," he replied coolly.  Skalfen had come to the Sanctum of the Sibyls, a place in the depths of the Sion ziggurat that only the most prestigious birds of the Havan had the honor of standing. And there he stood, knowingly turning away the counsel of the most revered and secretive minds in the Aves world.  "And clearly, I have misjudged you."

<You misjudge us?> the First's voice rose up.  The violet lights around the sanctum brightened to a low angry red.  The soothsaying of the Second was thrown aside – the First Voice grew harsh and unforgiving.  <You, Avo Skalfen, dare to come before us and refuse our counsel?>

"Your counsel is not refused," the Advocate spoke evenly.  "Merely, considered and rendered…ineffectual."

<The Three have voted, and by majority rule, have formed your answer: you must act now.  Ineffectuality is irrelevant and subjective without—>

"Majority rule, yes," Skalfen interrupted the First Voice.  The Third Voice's silence was far too unusual to go ignored – to go unused.  It gave Skalfen a reason to turn down the Sibyls, but more importantly, it seemed, it gave him time to think.  "But where is your Third?  Where is the dissenting opinion?"  

Even at the mention of her voice, the Third Sibyl remained stoically silent.  

Skalfen looked to his right, then directly in front of him – the directions of the first two oracles.  "Perhaps the Third is correct," he spoke to his left – to the shadows the Third was hiding in.  Still, nothing greeted him.  Blackness pressed his sight, but no voice came through.  He brought his beak around, centering it at the First.   "Her silence speaks for her – the time is not right."


Chapter 7

<< 6 / 8 >>



It's short. Quite a departure from the previous chapters....this was originally the opening for was is now Chapter 8. I split them since this seemed to stand better on its own. Plus...I've made you guys wait WAY too long...

Enjoy ^v^
Comments24
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
coldcuts85's avatar
almost done reading. ohh this story is amazing.