A Song for Malkar
‘So that was what nature died for? There is much glory in this victory, the job is done. Azael is destroyed, Grayhawk appears safe for the present, but much is lost.
‘What of Aliandir’s death? My guess would be that his mother knows the nature of passing, she will be both fearful and full of grief. It is likely that she will blame the Glaennyn, new fracture lines in the high politics of Grayhawk may now emerge.
Her grief will shape the world for the next heartbeat of Grayhawk’s existence. I will take the body of her fallen son and assuage her mourning. There is no other to do it in my stead…for Willowstar and I are close – like brother and sister our ascension has brought us closer…despite our theological and philosophical differences.
‘But the most pressing question regards the shape of Grayhawk’s power pyramid. We know that the Glaennyn are capable of immense destructive power, during the battle we very little of this Azael bare had time to deploy it and I was unwilling, that said we saw the first trickle before the levee breaks, as one might say. The nature and worldview of the possessor of Dragonstaff, and his/her position vis-à-vis Grayhawk’s other powers now becomes the critical issue.
The Glaennyn are indeed powerful but that power is tempered by a stark and irrefutable fact: they follow the staff. They sing to your tune, Jarik, and yours alone. Harbour a good relationship with the dragons or you may find they will try to replace you – though I was glad of their help on the Menengor Mountain I felt their burgeoning strength within.
‘While it lies in my hands the power is, perhaps, safe. I find the idea of using this power to kill or destroy difficult even when impulsive, but entirely repulsive at all other times. It is lucky that this power is not in the hands of a psychopathic tyrant. Grayhawk must decide how to stop this happening, either that, or it could make me immortal.
The Maelstrom is part of you…as soon as you touched the staff it changed you – altered your soul irrevocably. Power has the ability to corrupt even the most honest of men, yet I believe there is a genuine desire in your for good. After all, a man who has not dealt death is a rarity in this world – particularly one as powerful as you…I will reiterate what I said before the battle. I stood beside you and fought for the freedom of Grayhawk…then I stood as friend, bound in a universal struggle. That friendship is undiminished, Jarik, you can always count on me as friend…there is ever a haven for you in my house.
‘I believe the Maelstrom now lies in the heart of Grayhawk from where it resonates outwards throughout the universe, the true source of power and true anchor of the universe. Primal Magic is merely a trichotomous resonance of one aspect of the Maelstrom. The universe can be heard, each plane has its own resonance with differing keys, tempos etc. While the many planes differ enormously they all share at least one thing in common, they all resonate with the Maelstrom and they now do this through Grayhawk – the ‘resting place’ of the Maelstrom.
My perception of the Maelstrom is different, though I will bow to your greater understanding as you hold it in your hand! For what its worth I believe you are partially correct in your assessment of this new power…my theory is that the Maelstrom is the anti-Grayhawk, an opposing reaction to the order of things. In simple terms: Maelstrom = chaos, Grayhawk = order. It may be too simplistic but I have touched with my mind the edges of this force…
‘We also have seen the weakness of this power, as I was singing earlier we much decide what to do about this. I would like to let you know my feelings before any other hears them.
We must stick together Jarik; all of us. The world of Grayhawk has changed – in some respects we are responsible. I will protect you all as much as I can and offer you all sanctuary in the temples of my priests.
‘The Glaennyn have been imprisoned for thousands of years I will not countenance a return to this state. They must have freedom. I chose freedom over servitude when before Azael, I demand the same for the Glaennyn.
There are few things that could restrict them now and I have no desire to be their enemy. They may see myself and Willowstar as the Old Enemy but I cannot foresee what they have in mind.
However, the Glaennyn are answerable to the wielder of the Dragonstaff – this has already nearly cost us everything, it is perhaps fortunate that we have thus been forced to consider this immediately. And I say we – for it is You and I, the King of Thieves and your Na Prelate who stand after Azael’s and we did so for a time without the Dragonstaff. It is We and I include Willowstar and the Glaennyn who should decide this not others – Kings and Emperors – we must deliver a fait accompli.
As warriors we have won a great victory but without the help of Kings and Emperors we will get nowhere. It is often a mistake of dictators that they dismiss the needs of their people. We must not make the same mistake – for without them we are nothing. Grayhawk is the people – including the kings, emperors and their people.
‘Now that Grayhawk is ‘safe’ what should be done with this power? Given that Grayhawk is considered so powerful and important I have often wondered why Grayhawk always finds itself fearing invasion by the other planes rather than the converse. Perhaps there is a message in this. Perhaps our response to Azael’s attack should be to return it in kind – to start shaping other planes to Grayhawk’s resonance – to set their tempo, chose their key, to WRITE THEIR SONGS rather than perpetually listening, fearing and responding to them.
It has always been so. Grayhawk attracts the inhabitants of the lower planes because it is the centre of the universe – it is the heartbeat that all other beings crave. More power resides on Grayhawk than in all the other planes put together…that is why we are so popular.
‘In the Glaennyn we have a massive potential, one which we (I say we because I will share any knowledge uncovered rather than conceal it) need to utilise. Nature chose ME Jarik Saal for this, and died to ensure I had the chance, as she always stove for balance on Grayhawk so will I. The potential must be used to create rather than destroy, to bring life not death Nature would not have died if she had not known this potential. The valley of the Glaennyn demonstrates their power to preserve. I hold the power to preserve. But I also hold the power to create and destroy, I do not fear this but I feel very unready.
The true measure of power is the ability not to wield it. Jarik, you display wisdom beyond your years…I feel that Grayhawk, and the plight of the Glaennyn, could not be in safer hands. Be at peace, dear friend.
What is the council of a God?