The Kallanon Scales by Elaina J Davidson

all who aided
in preparing for a gathering of this nature. There are many to
thank, not least among those my loyal valet for dressing my sons
and the Elders and various teachers who took the time to prepare
them for this ceremony - I know who you are, and thank you. And, my
friends, a special word to the master carpenter who fashioned the
two beautiful chairs you see before you. Colum Megane, a father
bows to your artistry.”
    A new round of
applause rippled through the throng.
    “And now we
come to the serious business. I have raised the Valleur Throne and
shall not ascend it until after my sons are presented. This is
their day and the seat is incidental. I state categorically it will
not be used to distinguish between my sons.”
    The silence
was absolute.
    “I know you
are aware of the two natures here. They did not ask for this, they
are not accountable for what happened, and they will be given the
opportunity to choose as adults. Their real accountability
commences after, and they will be held answerable. Until such
necessity arises, I need all here to understand they are integral
to our future.” Torrullin stared into the crowd, meeting eyes
head-on. “Will you thwart me on this?”
    No Valleur
went against a Vallorin’s command, it was treason. If there were
doubts, it was permitted to question in public, thus now was the
time to speak. Feet shuffled and eyes swivelled.
    Pretora said,
“We thank my Lord Vallorin for the acknowledgement on the subject
of your sons. It lies to rest a plethora of rumours.”
    Torrullin
inclined his head.
    Pretora
continued, “What guarantee do the Valleur have if one of your sons
chooses to avenge himself on his people?”
    “I answer with
this assurance. Taranis, Guardian and Dome Leader, is given power
over my Throne.”
    “He is not
Valleur!” someone shouted from the floor.
    “Therefore the
perfect choice. He understands the future for these two young men
and in my stead has the right to protect them.”
    “He is
biased,” another whispered.
    “ I am
biased, friend,” Torrullin snapped. “As all here are biased. Taranis has not
been Dome Leader for three thousand years because he deals in
emotion. You will search hard for one as objective. Is this clear?”
Torrullin gazed around. “You question my judgement, and I
understand that, and you question the shape and form of this future
I allude to. It will be made clearer, but now I require your
faith.”
    They did not
deny further, and Torrullin turned to acknowledge his father, who
bowed to the gathered.
    “We are here
to celebrate a Coming-of-Age,” Torrullin said. “Let us be positive
on this day.” He looked to his sons. “Tristamil and Tymall, you
need to prove your worth before I call ten witnesses to the table.
Proceed.”
    Both young men
faced the golden urns. Tristamil lifted his hand first to wave over
the empty vessel and Tymall followed a beat later. The point was to
prove mastery in sorcery and show respect to their father. They
stepped back into position, eyes downcast. Pretora and Kismet
retrieved the urns and placed the vessels before their
Vallorin.
    Torrullin
inserted one hand into Tymall’s urn to withdraw it filled with
sapphires. Tymall collected them with time and patience and stored
them in preparation for the transference sorcery. He proved both
mastery and thought, giving his father a valuable gift.
    Torrullin
allowed a last blue stone to fall back and smiled. “Thank you,
Tymall. You may sit now, son.”
    Tymall took
his seat, which was no easy task with bindings and beads. A few
sympathetic chuckles aided him into position.
    Torrullin bent
to Tristamil’s urn. He was quiet so long that the gathered grew
restive. Both Pretora and Kismet checked that Torrullin was not
doing the sorcery. A father could not bear to see his son fail and
did the required magic; it happened occasionally.
    Tristamil
glanced up without lifting his head. He gazed directly into his
father’s