CHAPTER 100: THE BLACKLANDS [2]

They were taken to different rooms where they could rest. The rooms were richly decorated, so much so that no one would think such people lived underground. Soon, they were called out again and guided to the celebration hall.

To their surprise, it was not the same underground cavern they had seen before, but another one entirely.

As they stepped inside, their eyes widened. It was a massive hall, filled with music and laughter. Long tables were spread with food of every kind, roasted meat, sweet fruits, golden loaves of bread, and wines poured into shining cups. Men and women danced in circles, clapping their hands, and singing.

Aeron looked around in wonder. "What a celebration these people are having!"

Nyella sighed. "Yes... But only if they knew what was coming. Not only for them, but for all of us."

Aeron answered firmly. "That is why we are here, to inform them."

Nyella shook her head slightly. "Only if they believe us. Only if they will support us."

"Of course they will," Aeron said. "They welcomed us already. Why would they not?"

Amber, who had been silent, spoke in a low voice. "Do not buy into any of that. These people are greedy and selfish."

Aeron turned to him, frowning. "You have said that many times since we arrived, but so far, they have shown us the opposite, don’t you think?"

Before Amber could say anything, the man they had met earlier who was tall and had an earring, the one who had freed them, entered the hall. The people made way for him as he walked forward.

He stopped before them, spread his arms wide, and said with a deep voice, "Well, well, well... our visitors are here. I welcome you once again."

"I believe I have not introduced myself properly," he continued. "I am Odeg. Master Odeg. The leader of the Blacklands."

Aeron raised an eyebrow. "More like the king," he muttered.

Odeg smiled faintly and shook his head. "No, we do not follow royalty here. All of us are equal. I am only a leader among equals."

Then he gazed across them. "May I know who you are, and where you come from?"

Nyella stepped forward. "I am from Ivarion. The two of us," she said, motioning toward Aeron. "And him," she continued, pointing toward Amber, "he is from Dorch."

Odeg’s smile widened. "What a visit indeed! From two different kingdoms. It must be a united message then."

Nyella began to speak. "Yes, and it is..."

But Odeg lifted a hand, cutting her off. "Now is not the time for such talk. Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow, perhaps, we will hear your message. For now, please, come."

He gestured to the long table at the front, beside his own seat where empty chairs were placed. They sat and watched the dancers and the lively celebration.

After a while, Odeg gave a signal to a soldier behind him. The man stepped forward, holding two pieces of metal. He struck them together three times.

At once, the hall fell silent. The dancers stopped, the noise ceased, and Odeg then stood up.

He lifted his hands and said in a deep voice, "People of the Blacklands!"

A cheer roared across the hall. It lasted only a moment before Odeg raised his hand again, and it became quiet again.

"Here, before us, are visitors from faraway kingdoms," he said. "From the west, from Dorch, and from Ivarion itself."

His words drew another loud cheer, and again the people fell silent when he continued.

"They have brought a message, but before we hear them, we will show them where they stand. We will show them what it means to be in the Blacklands. We will show them who we are, and how we live. So I say, join me in welcoming them!"

At once, the noise rose again. The music returned, the dancers moved, and the celebration filled the hall.

Almost at once, several dancers broke away from the crowd and came to where Aeron, Nyella, and Amber were seated. Their steps were quick, their hands clapping in rhythm. They circled around the three, moving closer with each step. The music became faster, the shouts louder, until the visitors were surrounded.

Then they began the wine dance. A large jar of wine was passed from hand to hand, spinning round and round among the people.

The jar reached Aeron. He hesitated, unsure of what to do. He looked at the crowd, then at Nyella, then back at the jar. Slowly, he passed it to Nyella.

Nyella shook her head and smiled faintly. "I cannot drink this," she said, pushing it toward Amber. But Amber too refused.

The dancers laughed and clapped louder, shaking their heads. "No, no! You must drink!" one of them cried. "You must join us, for this is a day of joy! None can sit idle while the Blacklands rejoice!"

They pressed the jar back into their hands. This time, the dancers forced the wine to Aeron’s lips, then to Nyella’s. Both of them tasted it. When they swallowed, they were surprised.

The jar was pushed to Amber once more. The General’s eyes narrowed. He held it for a long moment, then pushed it back firmly. "No. I will not."

The dancers laughed again, but this time they did not force him. They spun away, carrying the jar back into the circle.

Meanwhile, Aeron and Nyella felt the warmth of the wine spreading through them. Their heads felt light, their bodies lighter still. Music and laughter filled their ears, and when the dancers pulled at their arms, they stood without protest.

The crowd cheered as the visitors were drawn into the dance. They moved clumsily at first, then with ease, spinning and clapping with the people.

At one point, they even made Aeron and Nyella dance hand in hand, like a couple dancing.

The hall was filled with joy, and the two were carried away by the moment, drinking and dancing.

Only Amber remained seated, watching everything. He did not touch the wine, and he did not move to dance.

For him, this was not new. He didn’t want to be surprised by anything, as that was not his first encounter with the people of the Blacklands.