by JD Monroe
The guard walked ahead, glancing back occasionally to see if Sohaila was following him. Her two bodyguards flanked her on either side, pushing Kaldir to walk behind her.
Being the queen’s advisor and leader of her military came with a certain respect, and he had grown accustomed to being recognized with quiet deference wherever he went in Ironhold. Full of mischief and fiery passion, Falmina had followed him like a shadow for years, and he’d relished it. Her admiration made him confident, and at the same time, encouraged him to be a better man that was worthy of her high regard. Now he felt like her shadow, small and insignificant in her light.
The interior of the castle was littered with debris, but it was more intact than much of the city. The roof was torn open, as if great claws had ripped into it. Smoke still lingered in the air, and soot marked the pale stone tile floor. A cadre of bedraggled servants swept debris and dust into piles, imposing order in the chaos.
The guard led them through a winding hall around the perimeter of the palace, then down narrow stairs to a dim antechamber. There, several guards in green stood at a heavy metal door. Both men looked exhausted, with deep shadows ringing their eyes.
“We wish to speak to the prisoners brought in yesterday,” Sohaila said.
“Yes, ma’am,” one of them said. “Which one? We’ve got a full house here.”
“The male with the reddish hair,” she said. “His name is Enzar. He has red tattoos all over his body.”
Two of the guards glanced at each other. One took a deep breath, giving Sohaila an apologetic look. “Ma’am, he was rather difficult yesterday. It may not be safe for you.”
“Is he shackled?” she asked.
“Yes, but—”
“And you have the amulets that were sent ahead for you?” she asked. At the mention of it, Kaldir instinctively palmed his own. Marlena had warned him that one of the Aesdar at full strength could shatter it if they tried, but it was enough to protect them from collateral damage.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then we’re fine,” she replied. She glanced back to one of her bodyguards. “Virnan, my pack, please.” The slender male Warden turned, crouching slightly so she could open the leather bag and root inside for a small jar. “I’ll see him now.”
“Ma’am—”
“I insist,” she said sharply. The protesting guard’s eyes widened at her harsh tone, and he fumbled to take the keys from his belt. Unlocking the door, he stood aside for Sohaila, then gave Kaldir a helpless look.
Sohaila opened the jar and scooped out a pink paste. A pleasant floral scent permeated the stagnant air as she rubbed her hands together. “Now we’re ready.”
Dressed in loose, filthy linens, the large male prisoner sat on a stone bench. His thick wrists were encircled in dark manacles, linked by a heavy chain that draped between his knees. A heavy metal collar hung around his neck, and a dingy blindfold covered his eyes. His forearms were covered in the familiar red tattoos that marked Marlena’s skin.
“Enzar?” Sohaila said. At the sound of her voice, his head lifted, and he looked for the source. “Do you remember me? It’s your friend, Sohaila.”
His brow furrowed. “Sohaila? Are you here to help me? If you can unlock these, I’ll protect you.” Rattling the manacles on his wrists, he sniffed the air. “There are people here with you. Kadirai. Are you safe?”
She frowned, clearly conflicted. “Enzar, I need you to help me.”
“Anything for you. Just uncover my eyes and take these off,” he said. He shook his wrists. “My power is so weak right now. Where is Master Sidran? Is he safe?”
She sighed and touched Enzar’s shoulder. He jolted, turning his covered eyes toward her hand. Kaldir inched forward, already readying his flames. “Did someone hurt you?”
“I fought those Kadirai monsters who brought me down here, but there were too many,” he said. His face was bruised, one eyebrow split in a swollen red gash. “Please, let me go.”
“I can’t,” she said. Sohaila knelt in front of Enzar, staring up at him as she pulled the blindfold down. “I need you to help us ask some questions.”
His bright blue eyes drifted over her shoulder to Kaldir, then to her bodyguards. A frown slowly spread across his face. “Sohaila, who are these people?”
“These are my friends,” she said. “We’re trying to make sure no one else gets hurt. Would you help me ask some questions?”
His posture tensed. “You’re helping the Kadirai,” he said. “I remember now. You betrayed Master Sidran. You…you drugged me.”
“No,” she said. “Master Sidran is hurting innocent people. Hundreds of people in this city died, and they did nothing wrong.”
“He wouldn’t do that,” Enzar said firmly. “We’re making a better world. The people in this city enslaved innocent humans. Drinking their blood and enslaving women for their foul desires.”
“They did no such thing,” the palace guard protested. “Greenspire is a peaceful city and always has been.”
How many prisoners had protested the same? There was always a story, a fabricated tale of Kadirai evil to justify the unprovoked massacre. The Chosen claimed they were just making a better world, though they left a trail of ruin and death everywhere they went.
She shook her head sadly. “Sidran lied to you.”
He shook his head again. “You lied to me.” Lightning fast, he grabbed Sohaila’s shoulders and pulled her in close. She yelped in surprise as his eyes flared bright. “Let me out of here.”
“Enzar!” she protested.
Kaldir lunged into the cell as Sohaila slammed her hand into Enzar’s face, covering his mouth with her palm. His eyelids fluttered, but he slapped her hand away and grabbed the chain around her neck.
Enraged, Kaldir leaped across the room and kicked Enzar in his side. The big man let out a grunt, but kept his hold on Sohaila and snapped the amulet off her neck.
“Look at me,” he roared. In the tiny cell, his voice echoed like thunder, sending a shiver down Kaldir’s spine. Sohaila stared up at him, her eyes wide and fearful. Her pupils widened, nearly concealing her amber eyes as his power sank into her.
Kaldir shoved Sohaila away from Enzar. He still clutched her amulet and a fistful of blue fabric. With a growl of anger, Kaldir slammed his fists into either side of the man’s head, boxing his ears. The Aesdar cried out in shock, shaking his head. “Get in here,” he yelled. There were chains on the wall, dangling empty where he should have been all along. Virnan rushed forward and helped Kaldir shove Enzar into the wall, securing his wrists.
The tattooed man struggled, lunging toward them with a feral snarl. “Let me go!” His voice was unsettling, but the amulet protected him. “Sohaila. Look at me.”
Kaldir drove a bladed hand into his throat, cutting off his voice. Enzar’s face went red as he fought to breathe. “Hold your tongue if you wish to keep it attached.”
Enalah knelt at Sohaila’s side, grasping her arm lightly. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” Sohaila said. She brushed off her knees and stood, straightening her robes.
Kaldir offered his hand to steady her. “Are you—”
He froze as she turned to face him, exposed for the first time. Her veil was still crumpled on the floor at Enzar’s feet. Now he understood.
The right side of her face was as he remembered it, though her cheek was too hollow, like she’d lost weight during her captivity. But the left side of her face had been shredded by sharp claws, by the look of it. Three deep furrows slanted over her left cheek and down to her throat. One mark crossed just at the outer corner of her eye, pulling it down slightly, while another crossed the outer corner of her lips and veered down her chin. The scars were puckered, as if the flesh around them had melted.
His stomach churned. Who could have done this to her?
She met his gaze, and he saw the slow realization in her widening eyes. Her head suddenly dropped as she pressed her hand flat over her scarred cheek, tucking her face tight t
o her shoulder as she searched the ground. Her movements were quick and erratic, like she was panicking.
He averted his gaze, knowing the damage had already been done. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Enzar, who was straining at the chains. “Let me go,” he bellowed. His voice had a powerful resonance that made Kaldir’s head swim.
“Gag him and cover his eyes,” Kaldir ordered, gripping his jaw tightly. Fear filled the bright blue eyes. He could tear Enzar’s jaw clean off his face. That would teach him to lay a hand on her.
“Just let him be,” Sohaila said, still turned away from him.
“He’s not going to help you,” Kaldir said.
“You’re all going to fall to his righteousness,” Enzar said.
“You think that’s righteousness?” Kaldir asked. “You see what he did to her? She’s a holy woman, and he—”
“General Dawnblaze,” she said sharply. “Do not speak for me.”
His heart thumped as she put her hand on his shoulder, pushing him back. Her hair was disheveled, with loose strands falling from her braid, but she had fixed the veil over her scars. She grasped Enzar’s face, her hands glowing.
“Sohaila, no, please,” he murmured, trying to twist away from her.
But his struggles soon waned. Sohaila nodded to Virnan. “Do what General Dawnblaze said. Cover his eyes and his mouth. In a few days, the remainder of the elixir from his last transformation will have worn off, and he’ll be much weaker.”
“Sohaila,” he murmured. “I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me. You’re my friend, I just—”
Virnan wedged a piece of cloth into the protesting man’s mouth, tying it around his head. Sohaila shook her head sadly. “I’m sorry.”
She stepped back into the hall. The guard shook his head. “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but I tried to warn you.”
“Be quiet,” she snapped. “I want to see Rezhen. The other male you brought.”
“No,” Kaldir said, grabbing her arm. She shot him a glare, and even with most of her face covered, he felt the heat of it focused in her narrowed eyes. “It’s dangerous.”
“I’ll take the risk,” she said. She tore her arm from his grasp.
“The girl is calm,” the guard said. “You could speak to her.”
“There’s no point,” she said. “Lazka is calm because her mind is gone. If you didn’t tell her to eat, she’d simply waste away.”
“Wouldn’t that be exactly what we want?” Kaldir asked. “Someone who won’t argue with you?”
“She doesn’t have enough control to interrogate someone,” she said. “She’s as likely to make you shit yourself as get answers.” She turned to the guard. “Take me to Rezhen.”
If the situation had been less dire, Kaldir would have taken great pleasure in telling Sohaila I told you so. They kept Rezhen blindfolded, but he had even less affection for Sohaila than Enzar did. When he realized what she was up to, he lunged and tried to bite her. With no remorse, Kaldir backhanded the tattooed man hard enough to knock him unconscious, then dragged Sohaila out of the room by the arm.
As they left the bellowing man behind, Kaldir glanced down at her. She avoided his gaze. “It’s not your fault,” he said. “They’re brainwashed.”
“I know,” she said sharply. But it was clear that it stung. “I guess I didn’t realize how thoroughly he’d corrupted them.”
“Marlena will help,” he said. “If we send word to Viraszel today, she can be here in a few days.”
“That’s a long time,” she said.
“We won’t solve this overnight,” he replied. “In the meantime, you can get some work done on the antidotes. Perhaps that will help you pass the time.”
She was quiet as they walked out of the palace. As they went, more of the guards and the staff of the castle greeted her, each murmuring, “Sister,” as she passed. But her confidence clearly was shaken. She responded to each greeting with a half-hearted “blessings on you” but kept her eyes down. The weight of what had transpired hung between them like a heavy fog.
They had just passed the outdoor hospital again when he gently touched her shoulder. “Sohaila,” he said quietly.
“What?”
“I didn’t mean to react that way, or to stare at your face,” he said. “It was just—”
“It’s fine,” she said.
“No, it—”
“I said it’s fine,” she said. Her posture straightened. “Thank you for protecting me, but do not speak for me like that again.”
He felt like she’d slapped him. “I only thought—”
“I do not need your pity, nor to be used as leverage,” she said. “Don’t do it again.” Her voluminous blue skirts billowed behind her as she stormed past him. Virnan cast an apologetic glance back at him, and Kaldir lingered, watching her go.
His mind was sheared in two as he made his way back to the temple, thoroughly chastised and more than a little angry. Fifty years had not diminished his concern for her, and even if she wanted nothing to do with him, he would not stand by while one of those monsters hurt her.
He shook himself. He had more important things to deal with than wounded egos—his own and Sohaila’s—but he couldn’t stop thinking about the look of hurt in her eyes.
After temporarily relocating some of her novices, Mother Akshas had granted General Iceborne a wing in one of the dormitories as temporary barracks. A reading room lined with bookshelves had become a gathering room for messengers and couriers waiting to take orders into the city. Kaldir found General Iceborne there, listening to a report from her subordinates. Her face was grim as she gave them orders to bolster Greenspire’s forces with some of the Broodguard.
When they were finished, he caught her eye. The older woman dismissed her subordinates and beckoned to him. They took a seat in a reading nook, Iceborne settling into a plush chair across from him. “How did your interrogations go?”
He shook his head. “The Aesdar are uncooperative. Yours?”
“We’ve had little luck,” Iceborne said. “The humans we questioned didn’t know anything. A few of their hybrid leaders broke down under the mere threat of torture, but they didn’t know anything of use. General al-Serra is an enigma. Probably a bit insane, but he’s laughing it off. I told them to leave him alone. They’ll kill him before they get anything of use.”
“I want Marlena Nightrunner to question the prisoners,” Kaldir said. “I’m inclined to take them all back to Adamantine Rise.”
“We won’t be ready to move again for at least a week,” Iceborne said. “I just ordered a third of our men to aid in Greenspire. They’re reinforcing wards, clearing rubble, carrying supplies from the south…we can’t leave Greenspire in the lurch. And if we determine that they’re planning to move back this way or toward the south, we lose ground if we go all the way to Adamantine Rise. Can Nightrunner come here?”
“We can certainly ask,” Kaldir said. “Will you send your fastest messenger?”
“I will,” Iceborne said. “Write your message and I’ll send someone tonight.”
He nodded. “That’ll do, I suppose.”
She sat in silence for a while, her pale gray eyes focused on some unseen vision. Finally, she spoke again. “Dawnblaze, what do you think Sidran has planned?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “But whatever it is, it will be bloody.”
“And what if Nightrunner gets no answers?”
He folded his hands in his lap, trying not to think about that possibility. “Then we will figure something out. Sohaila knew he was going north. That leaves a few likely options if he intends to attack. Obviously, we’d like to know more than that, but if that’s all we can learn, then we’ll start sending scouting parties,” he said. “We are not lost yet.”
A wry smile crossed her face, etching deep creases around her eyes. “You’re right. I have grown spoiled by peace. And I look forward to the days when my biggest concern is one of my recruits getting drunk and missing morning training.”
/> He laughed. “So do I.”
“Do you agree with staying here another week? Or should we continue on?”
“It’s your choice,” he said.
“I’m asking your opinion, Dawnblaze,” she said. Her eyebrow arched. “I know you have one.”
“I’d like to go back to Farath as soon as possible. But the people of Greenspire and Arvelor need our help. If we can leave our people vulnerable to attack, then what are we fighting for?” She nodded silently. “Whether we fly to Farath or Marlena comes here, the same amount of time will pass. It makes sense to stay here until we know where to aim our next arrow.”
Her lips pursed. “And you’re being honest, not sparing my ego?”
“General, if you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m always honest,” he said. “And I have neither the time nor the inclination to spare egos.”
“I appreciate that,” she said with a faint smile. She sighed. “Get your message written, and I’ll send it immediately. And we will pray that she can find the answers we need.”
It was only during prayer that Sohaila’s mind quieted long enough to grant her peace from the anxiety that had wracked her mind since her rescue. She lay awake thinking about Ayla, her pretty face sliced to ribbons for angering Sidran.
She knelt on a thin mat for morning prayers, feeling the nubby weave biting through her thin pants. Incense smoke drifted through the air. All around her, devout sisters murmured the rote prayers of their earliest training, and she prayed along with them. Every sense was focused on her worship, on pleading with the Skymother for her aid.
As a novice, she was often eager for prayers to end so she could get back to learning and studying. But when the lector raised her voice to say, “Go in her light, my sisters,” and feet began shuffling around her, Sohaila sighed in resignation.
She knew that the Skymother did not work in transactions. Her prayers were not coins to be accumulated, to purchase divine favor upon obtaining enough currency. Still, a part of her hoped for the miraculous if she was only devout enough. If she attended every hour of prayer and imbued her words with enough intent and faith, maybe she would have a divine vision of exactly where to find Ayla and Sidran.