The House of Yeel

Chapter 13: Yeel’s Memory Augment





Yeel opened the door to his room and found a guard outside in the hall.

“You have need of something?” the guard asked.

“Well, it’s just that…you see, I don’t sleep.”

The guard looked at Yeel uncertainly.

“Seriously. I don’t sleep. My great powers and all, you know…anyway, I was hoping to inspect the library.”

“Very well. But I am to accompany you.”

“Hmm. How odd. Very well. Now. Where is the library, exactly?”

“This way. We should find a scholar, too, if we go in there. I don’t know my way around that place.”

The guard led Yeel to another guard station, where someone was sent after a scribe or a scholar. It took a bit of a wait, but finally an older human with gray hair and wrinkled skin appeared.

“It’s my honor to show you our library, Great Yeel,” the man said.

He sounds very sincere. I think he likes me.

The three walked for two minutes to get to the library. At one point, they passed through a hallway with open windows on both sides, allowing the cool night air to flow through, causing the torches to flutter.

“It’s a building adjoining the castle,” the guide explained. “This is the main connection.”

They emerged into a chamber with vaulted ceilings. Giant bookcases crowded the space.

“Hmm, there are a lot of books,” Yeel commented.

“This is but one of ten chambers. May I guide you to any particular area?”

“First, the histories. From long ago, when I visited you before.”

“Of course, Great Yeel. This way.”

They walked through two dim, cold rooms lighting candles as they went. When they arrived at the next book-filled room, the scholar found the candles already lit.

Seer Yune stood by a huge desk filled with cubbyholes and bookshelves, buried in stacks of books.

“Yeel. What a surprise,” she said.

“Seer Yune. Do you study the past as well as the future? Some hold that they are linked in ways much more intricate than it would at first seem. I knew a philosopher—”

“That sounds fascinating. Pardon me, Yeel, but I have read for a long time, and I grow very weary. Please, excuse me. I must take my leave.”

“Oh. Of course. We can speak on it later,” Yeel said.

So loathe to speak are these creatures.

Seer Yune walked off. The scholar turned to Yeel.

“These are ancient texts from that time. In fact, some of these books are partially about you. As you can see, some of us have been reading about you. Some, at the king’s order, no doubt. Others, like myself, simply wanted to learn about such an important figure who has come to visit us again!”

“Thank you, I would like to examine—” One text in particular caught three of Yeel’s eyes. The language was Yeel’s own. It was entitled Yeel’s Memory Augment. “That one, there.”

“Of course! Do you know that language? We’ve been unable to translate it!” said the scholar excitedly.

“I do know the language. It is my own.”

“Really? Did you leave it for us?”

“I don’t remember,” Yeel said, opening the book. “I must examine this persistent memory store. It may take some time.”

“Um. That tome? Oh, I see. Of course. Take your time. Do you need more candles?” asked the scholar, but Yeel was already reading the book and did not answer.





***





Jymoor found Yeel the next morning.

“Are you ready to arrange a meeting with the king? We need to convince him as we did Vot.”

“I’m afraid that plan is off. I’ll be leaving, going back to my house.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry, but I’ve had time to reflect over these memories, and it’s pretty clear that I tend to interfere where I don’t belong. I’m causing humans more trouble than good.”

“That’s ridiculous. You saved us before. You can do it again. I have no doubt about that anymore. I’ve seen what you can do. You never cease to amaze me.”

“I have refreshed memories from this storage device. Apparently, I actually caused the last war. I caused many humans to die.”

“Yeel, I don’t think—”

“It tells the story of how I tried to help Riken, how I got carried away. The great conflagration you said I stopped. It was caused by me in the first place.”

“Are you sure? What language is that?” Jymoor said, staring at the old book.

“My power is not best applied to human affairs. I should keep to myself.”

“Come here, Yeel,” Jymoor said.

“I assure you that I am indeed here. I haven’t created any illusory copies of myself and thus—”

“No, you fool, I mean come closer to me,” Jymoor urged. “I want to be closer to you…to embrace you!”

“Well, I am, that is, er, I should, I mean, am,” Yeel’s words finally failed him.

Jymoor strode forward and seized Yeel in her arms. At least, what she could grasp. Her arms wrapped around his tentacle stems atop his cone-shaped body. He automatically tried to project the impression of embracing a human into her mind.

“Yeel! Your strength! I can feel it. I had no idea you were so…masculine!”

“Oh my, I’m afraid that you…that I….there is some fundamental misunderstanding…”

Jymoor batted her eyes at Yeel. “You don’t find me…attractive?”

“No. Yes. I mean. Of course, you’re attractive, it’s just that…”

“You prefer men? I don’t believe it…you spent so much time with Vot. Despite what you told me, the natives made it abundantly clear that Vot is female. Almost a she-goddess to them, a fertility idol.”

“No, I prefer both…I mean neither…” Yeel struggled. Jymoor felt her confidence wane slightly. A feeling of doubt crept into her.

“Yeel, I’m sorry,” she said, stepping back and releasing the wizard. “I felt certain that you felt something for me. I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”

“You are a fine specimen of female humanity, an icon of strength, honor, and intelligence. I’d count myself lucky to be among your breeders. However, there is a small matter of…incompatibility.”

“I see. You’re a high-born and I am nothing but a lowly scout,” Jymoor said, a hint of bitterness entering her voice.

“Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that…I promise to consider your offer very carefully.”

“Then I will eagerly await your answer!”





***





Yeel had no answer ready when Jymoor next appeared, mere hours later.

“I read your memory augment,” Jymoor said.

“I’m afraid that is quite impossible,” Yeel said. “You see, that document is—”

“You’re not the only one around here with powerful gadgets and artifacts, you know,” Jymoor interrupted. “The librarians were able to lend me a translation glass for a time.”

“Oh! Really? Might I examine—”

“No. Listen to me, Yeel, listen and remember my words! No matter how hard it is. Your augment has been tampered with!”

“Hmm?”

“The Meridalae got to your augment long before us,” Jymoor explained. “I studied it and believed everything at first, until some of the facts from my childhood memories of tales of your heroism didn’t fit. Then I called for some of the scribes. These men are thoroughly learned in our vast written histories. They were able to confirm it by comparing events with those written in many other tomes. The events put down in the augment are flawed. They’ve been rewritten to turn you into a source of disaster, of interference with the natural order. But, you see, the Meridalae are no better. They’ve interfered with our history on many occasions—and always to their own benefit.”

“The Meridalae? Here, in Maristaple? I suppose they must have spies…”

“It’s no coincidence that we’ve come across it now. They meant for us to find it, knowing you would read it now and have this reaction when we need you the most!”

“How would they know what to say? Perhaps they naturally have that point of view. They know I’m too powerful to be involved.”

“They know you well, Yeel. They know of your worries about interfering with us. They know you feel guilty about your huge influence on our history. They know you are terrified of using your great powers in our affairs. It’s just another one of their tactics for keeping you away from their path to domination. You’re the only one strong enough to protect us from them, Yeel.”

“I’m glad to know the deeds I found in my augment are not perfectly rendered. But the fact remains. I’m too powerful to help your people without bending everything in directions that it wouldn’t go.”

“Yeel. Listen to me. We all change the course of history. I change the course of history. And we all interact with the world. We all change things. We mold them to our will. There’s nothing wrong with that. Some of us have more influence over events than others. But it’s a continuum. You are on one end, and my king is perhaps near that side, maybe Vot. And the lowliest peasant farmer is on the other. But none of us should step away from our roles in the universe. And besides, the Meridalae are out there, and they’re not afraid to use their power. If you step away and do nothing, they’ll rule us for centuries.”

Yeel started to pace.

“There is some merit in what you say. I need to think on this a while. I need to ponder, to question. Re-examine my place in the universe. I see now I’ve allowed myself to be manipulated by the Meridalae. They do indeed know Vot and me very well.”





***





Yeel had no further contact with Jymoor for a full day. She found him again in the library at Maristaple, browsing through ancient tomes.

“There you are! I’ve been looking for you.”

“I was visiting Vot.”

“Oh,” Jymoor replied sharply. “Of course. I should have known.”

“It wasn’t a social call,” Yeel clarified. “I…we had to take care of a very unfortunate matter. There was a spy of the Meridalae among her warriors. Actually one of her own, turned traitor for the offer of power.”

“Really? That’s terrible. After everything she did for them. Legrach told me many stories about how she helped the Ascarans, released them from slavery—”

“Actually, it was Legrach who was the spy.”

Jymoor blinked.

“I knew it!” spouted Jymoor. “I knew there was something wrong with him. He tried to get me killed! I told you about that! Why, if you listened to me, even a bit, instead of leering over Vot all the time, it could have saved us a huge amount of trouble.”

“In light of this new evidence, I do believe he may have tried to kill you. Or at least, he would have allowed you to die. I admit I didn’t remember all the details of your complaint, but you mentioned suspicion of him earlier. I owe you an apology for not taking you more seriously.”

“I’ll say you do. You don’t know how good you have it. I’m a valuable woman, a good scout, a fighter, a thinker. I can’t believe you’ve turned back to Vot after I saved you. Why, you were ready to give up! It’s a miracle you found out at all.”

The volume of her voice is rising. Yet I haven’t given any indication that I can’t hear her.

“Well, actually, he tried to kill me. Luckily, Vot had given me…that is, Vot was watching…um, she had placed some eyes for…security, yes, security reasons, and she saw the attempt in progress. I was narrowly unscathed.”

“Vot spies on you?”

“Well, she simply, um, she just does it to show she cares. I mean she cares about Ascara-home. Yes, she just does it because she cares about Ascara-home.”

Jymoor made a strange noise and stalked out.

Oh no. I’ve done something wrong…or have I? It’s so hard to tell. And I didn’t get a chance to tell her that Seer Yune is a spy as well.