The Voice Without Echo (13)

The shrilling squeal erupted in my brain. It took me a moment to realize the Faerie was laughing at me.

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The shrilling squeal erupted in my brain.

It took me a moment to realize the Faerie was laughing at me.

After a long period of senselessness, the voice returned. "That is your name for us? Like something out of a folk tale? Like some lullaby?"

"It is the only name I know for you." My composure surprised me. I don't like being laughed at. But my curiosity proved to be in ascendance. "What name do you call yourselves?"

"We are the People. At least, that is what we commonly call ourselves. Our true name, our ancient name, well, that is not for you."

"Do you believe names hold power?"

"'Believe'?" 

Another squeal assailed my thoughts. I could hardly think until it was over. "Then, you do?"

"Oh, mage, you are so wise and earnest, but you are as a ... toddler ... toddling. If you help me get out of here, I will teach you all."

"You gave me your name."

"I gave you my common name, not my true name."

"What does it mean, 'Zhalghumi'?"

"How many words in our ancient language do you know?"

"None."

"And your people? In your great Kinnon libraries and archives stretching oh so far back to, what, forty thousand years ago? What do your people know?"

"I'm really not certain. I've never sought out such things."

"But you have an interest in languages, do you not?"

I didn't say anything, but thinking was enough under these circumstances.

"Ah, you have an interest in human languages. I beg your pardon that that oldest language in existence is not worthy of your interest."

"Older than the Dragons' language?"

"Who do you think taught them speech? Now that was a folly."

"I'm confident that is not mentioned in our archives."

"Of course it wouldn't be! The Dragons are shy about the things that make them uncomfortable."

"Is that why you won't tell me the meaning of your name?"

"Clever little mage! No, the reason was already stated. You had no prior interest in our language. I am offended, and will forever refuse to speak of it. I wonder what the Dragons have to say about me, though."

"They know of you?"

Now followed a long silence. While a voice in my head never truly made any sound, the absence of the voice felt like a return to solitude. It felt like a rebuke.

It was.

The absence or silence lasted some time. So long, in fact, that I was startled by it when it came.

"Mage."

"Zhalghumi. Forgive me. I am almost completely ignorant of your people. I meant no offense."

A short pause. "It is true. I am offended. I was offended. Your apology has soothed me. Somewhat. Your ignorance is deep indeed. Of course the Dragons know of me. The Dragons know of each of us, even if they so often pretend not to. The Dragons are very particular about this kind of thing. Meticulous. They have decent records. Millions of years. Their knowledge is really quite impressive. Relatively."

"Relative to Kinnon records, you mean?"

"To the records of all the Younger Peoples, yes."

I laughed. I gasped. I choked. I wept. Perhaps this would upset the guest in my mind, but I couldn't help it. Why did I struggle so? Explaining it now, it doesn't seem funny. Not at all. Not in the slightest. But in the moment? Oh, it was delicious.

My thought was of how ancient and powerful a people these Faeries were. Older than the Dragons. Teachers, or more, of the Dragons. And this Faerie in my mind had none of the gravitas or maturity that I might expect of such an ancient people. This Faerie was petulant, petty, arrogant, and impulsive. Almost childish.

My laughter subsided, and another period of quiet followed.

"Mage, why did you laugh?"

"Nothing. It's nothing. Don't trouble yourself with—" But enough of my thoughts seeped into my guest's awareness.

"A child? You, who are like a fly to me, dares call me a child?"

I couldn't help myself. "Well, how old are you?"

"I'm seventeen! Million years! Of Age! How old are you? Some twenty beats of a gnat's heart? Uh!"

And Zhalghumi had had enough of this gnat's brain, and departed.

I called the name into the darkness, uncaring if I brought the guards. Maybe they'd think I'd snapped from the isolation and slipped into insanity? I don't know, because the guards didn't come. And neither did Zhalghumi. At least, not for some time.

Continue reading with Part 14 - Embrace the Nothing. (Coming Thursday)