by Azalea Moone
Leading his horse deeper into the forest, he found a bush with tiny reddish-purple berries like the ones grown back at home. He picked a handful, hopped back on his saddle, and kicked his mare to a trot. These would do for now, at least until he arrived at the bank of the bay—if Shusen would feed him.
Better yet, if Shusen would just give away the secret and let him go, that would guarantee his safe return to Kohaku’s side. Sawyer would have to be cautious; he’d watch Shusen’s every move, listen to his every word with restraint. At the first sign of deceit, he’d be sure to leave or fight, it didn’t matter which.
He’d never traveled this road into Jinchun, and though the countryside appeared similar to Anscien’s around here, he knew he was far away from his homeland. And far away from Kohaku.
Had they noticed him leaving already? Surely Kohaku did, and he would want to follow. But he’d hoped that Fithel would stop him—Sawyer would do anything to keep his lover from harm.
He kicked his horse into a gallop once he was back on the road. Another day, he assumed, and he’d be at Frehs Hollow where Shusen told him to meet. Another night of this uncertainty to go and maybe he’d have answers. Yet, there was worry and trepidation...
“Faster!” Kohaku called out to Fithel.
They rode into the day, watching as the fog dissipated around them. The passersby gasping as they galloped past; women and children ducking out of their way. Still, Kohaku wanted to make it to Sawyer before it was too late. There was still time. There always was!
Just as he was catching up, Fithel slowed to a trot. “We must rest our horses or find ourselves walking.”
“They can take it a little longer.”
“No!” Fithel reined his horse around, facing Kohaku. “I know this is important to you, but I’d rather a suitable ride than have to hitch one because we ran our horses too long.”
Kohaku clenched his fists tight around his reins until his knuckles were white. “Very well.”
Fithel turned back and walked the horse. They’d never catch up like this. He didn’t even know if Sawyer had gone to Jinchun. What if he’d gone elsewhere? Then they’d never find him.
Kohaku thumbed over his talisman, stopping on the notch in the middle of the etched dragon. They hadn’t a chance to look for the stone he’d needed to put here. Was it even possible to unleash Malrith’s power even more with such a thing as the fire agate stone?
There were just so many things to do and say, and yet, the time was gone along with Sawyer. Perhaps coming on this investigation was the worst thing they could do—he was weary of it from the start. Especially after hearing of the aftereffects of the suir when they were in Raifut. Kohaku worried about what the drug could do to Sawyer and his curse if he’d gotten too close. He should’ve said something to deter his lover from the challenge.
They entered a forest much like the ones in Anscien. Although they were many miles away from home, the trees and brush gave Kohaku a sense of home—a tiny one at that. He lifted his head. The gentle trickle of water sounded next to them; a stream cut around the edge of the roadway and trailed off into the distance.
Fithel eased his horse to a stop. “We rest here.”
“No!”
“Listen to me, we need food. Water. The horses need a break. We’ll suffer before we find him, would you like that?” Fithel jumped off his horse and led him to the water’s edge.
Kohaku cupped his face in his palms—so be it. He’d much rather find Sawyer safely than anything else. After scrubbing his face with his hands, he hopped off his horse and joined Fithel.
Plopping down onto the hard ground, he watched as the horses drank their fill from the stream. Fithel jerked a flask from his undershirt and took a swig.
“Hmmph,” Kohaku breathed.
“What? You want a drink?”
“It’s not water, I know that.”
Fithel raised a brow. “Keen eye. So what? Nothing wrong with a drink here and there in times of stress.”
With the way Sawyer spoke yesterday, it was as if Fithel drank more than he should or perhaps every day was stressful.
Fithel thrust the container toward him. “Here. A sip might do you good.”
“Don’t need it.”
When he pulled the flask back, he eyed it a moment, then tipped it to his lips again. Suddenly, his eyes closed tight, lips narrowed. Fithel heaved the flask into the stream, the rest of the contents mixing into the clear water. “Damn it all!”
Kohaku jumped up to his feet, unsure of Fithel’s rage.
“You just...” Fithel croaked. “Don’t understand at all!” He stomped into the stream and plucked the flask up, stuffing it back into his pocket, wetting his tunic and undershirt. Then he cupped his hands, splashing water onto his face. “Let’s go.”
“Already? But I thought—”
“It’s done. Break’s over.” He trudged to his horse, grabbing her reins and leading her back on land.
Kohaku hesitated. “Tell me what’s gone on between you and Sawyer.”
“No time.”
“There is. Tell me during the ride.”
Fithel glanced over his shoulder with narrowed brows. “It’s nothing to do with you, petty summoner. Now, let’s go or we’ll never make it to Sawyer in time.” He jumped up on his horse.
Damn it, Kohaku had never cared to know such details before, but just seeing Fithel and Sawyer’s exchanges, it would be nice to understand a little. Instead of pressing the matter, Kohaku pulled his horse away from the water’s edge and joined Fithel’s side as instructed.
They rode fast, around the trees, and back to the road. With the way Fithel pushed his horse, Kohaku wondered if he was intentionally trying to get away from him. Perhaps for some peace of mind from the matter at hand, or the questions Kohaku asked before they’d left.
Either way, Kohaku was sure he’d never get an answer until Fithel jerked on the reins of his horse, stopping mid-trot in the middle of the dirt path.
“We were lovers, yes!” Fithel hollered.
Kohaku slowed to a stop next to him.
“Fithel, if you don’t want to—”
“No. Summoner, maybe it’s best this way. I assume Sawyer’s never spoken about me in the past.” Fithel never took his attention away from Kohaku. “Or if he has, he must have lied to you.”
“You...” As Kohaku remembered, Sawyer never spoke about Fithel. He’d only spoke of the fact that Fithel had fired the arrow that had pierced his dragon on that fateful day he and Sawyer first met. That day, when he stood in confidence, begging for the cut of Sawyer’s sword that would never come. You tried to kill Malrith two years ago, but he couldn’t find the words on his tongue.
Fithel cupped his face in his hands. “Our relationship was a fine one. We grew up together in the castle. Were each other’s friend. Sparring partners. Bed partners.”
Kohaku swallowed. “Understandable.”
“It wasn’t until he’d suddenly left me when things fell apart. I should have expected it with the dreams he was having.” Fithel’s mouth snapped shut, his eyes boring into Kohaku with rage. “Dreams of you, summoner.”
Lowering his head, Kohaku whispered, “I know of them.”
“So you see why it’s so very difficult for me to adjust to this. To you.” Fithel took a deep breath. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to find Sawyer before it’s too late.”
The evening sun sparkled across the white cap waters of the Ningyo bay. Ships in the distance rang their bells, signaling their approach into Jinchun’s harbor across the riverway.
Sawyer sat upon his horse, gazing across the sky barely lit with gentle stars above. This was where Shusen had wanted him to meet, yet there were no caverns around—the only sights were beach ahead and trees behind him leading back along the road.
He’d arrived moments ago to the gorgeous sunset, deciding it best to wait.
The beach was empty besides for the wild beasts who’d made their home there. Seagulls cackled nea
rby, following ships as they made their way to the port. Crabs dug away in the sand and bugs fluttered past his nose.
If only Kohaku was there with him... No, he’d have to stop worrying about his lover for now. If the troops followed him, soon they wouldn’t know where he’d gone once Shusen arrived and showed him the way.
Hooves beat against the ground behind him. He waited for a sign...
“You’ve made it safely, I see,” Shusen said.
“I have.” Sawyer reined his horse away from the gorgeous beach. “And you are ready to show me how to control this power?” He’d fought it away for far too long on his journey here.
“Come, then.” Shusen kicked his horse to a trot. “Your destiny awaits.”
Destiny? For he’d already found his fate in Kohaku’s love. No, this wasn’t destiny, it was his duty.
Sawyer swallowed at the thought and followed Shusen away from the sea and toward the trees. A clearing through them led the way onto a distinct path, thinner and less kept than the road he’d traveled here. As the night sky darkened, a cool breeze blew through his cloaks and he shivered to the chill. And to something else.
It grew much darker than he’d hoped—he couldn’t see much in front of him except the trees around and his mare’s bobbing head. At least she wasn’t too frightened by this sudden turn of events.
“Is it up ahead?” he asked.
“Not too much further,” Shusen called to him, his voice suddenly muffled and distant.
Sawyer blinked. Why couldn’t he see the man leading the way? Not to mention, he couldn’t see much of anything, now. His vision blurred, the earth a sudden haze of gloomy colors—greens, blacks, and blues.
A breath caught in his lungs.
The tremble through his limbs was back again.
“Sawyer!” Shusen’s voice came to him once more, strangely in concern. “It’s okay. A little further, now. Yes, that’s it.”
Crash! It was as if the entire land broke around him. Trees crumbled to the ground; the sky tumbled down. But he was still upright in the midst of it all, gazing into the unknown darkness. Where was he? What was he doing again?
When he finally gasped a breath, his vision was back again. All around him were stony walls, above was a ceiling with pointed rocks jutting out and nearly scraping the hairs on his head. A cave?
He ducked in case one of the rocks would swoop down of its own accord—suddenly he realized just how silly the idea was.
In front of him, Shusen knelt atop an intricately patterned cushion. The mask he wore much brighter in the firelight of the torches placed around the cavern. The horns, strange as they’d always been, were now intriguing. So many exotic colors did the man wear, reds, blues, greens.
Shusen tapped his fingers against a box next to him. “Sit.”
Still a bit dazed from what’d happened, Sawyer struggled onto his knees, then fell to his bottom. He recovered quickly, tucking his legs in. “Is... is this your home?”
Quiet followed a moment, then Shusen laughed, the echo around the cavern giving a menacing tone to his voice. “It is not. Strange you would ask such a thing. Do you really believe I would live in a cave such as this?”
Sawyer pursed his lips. Best he did not make assumptions about this man he knew nothing about. “Then tell me where we are and what you know.”
“Yes. Well, as you know, we are in Frehs Hollow. The cave right outside Ningyo Bay. There’s nothing strange about that, is there?”
“I suppose not.” Sawyer clenched his hands tight upon his lap. “What do you know of my father?”
Shusen tipped his head. “As I’ve said, I’d studied with your father long ago. I believe it was shortly after he’d been promoted to the king’s side.”
“King Herman would allow such a man like you in the kingdom?”
“Oh, but Kladus had taken me in secrecy. You could say I was a naïve young man with lots of potential back in those days. And once I met your king, Herman did not understand what I was capable of, so he allowed Kladus to continue to apprentice me. Perhaps as a joke, a way to further laugh at the ways of magic, as your king believed magic played no vital part in life.”
Sawyer nodded. “I know too much of my previous king already. Go on.”
“Then you know Herman wasn’t as frightened by magic as he claimed he was.”
Sawyer raised a brow. “Interesting. I didn’t. He always seemed fascinated by it, yes, but to the point he wanted to destroy all magic users and keep it away from the kingdom. Hence why Anscien had never truly developed a lasting relationship with Qeoca or the mages. Strange how it is I spent almost my entire life in the castle only to hear this now.”
Shusen smiled. “You must think I’m dishonest, but I’m not. True, he feared the capabilities of magic users. Worried about what they could do to his country lest he abolish it all, but in fact, he was quite taken by it. Have you ever wondered why Kladus was at his side despite being a sorcerer?”
Matter of fact, Sawyer had questioned it. But what king this side of the realm didn’t have a sorcerer to do his bidding? “I have. Never questioned either of them, though.”
“Of course not. For fear of what they might say? Or were they already dead before the thought came to mind?”
Sawyer’s shoulders tensed. “Get on with it.”
“Ah, yes. Very well.” Shusen grasped the lid to the box, and it creaked open. An abnormal red glow illuminated from the inside. “Your king knew of dragon summoners, they were possibly to be his biggest enemies unless he prevented it. So he had men raid the caverns in the southern border for all the fire agates there.” Shusen lifted a large rock from the box; it thrummed a beautiful red glow, almost like Kohaku’s dragon did every time his lover summoned him.
“The fire agate! So that’s why there are none left in the region.”
“Nor the entire Northern mainland, for that matter. This is the only one left.” Shusen held his hand out, but when Sawyer tried to reach for the stone, he pulled back. “I believe this is what your summoner needs, is it not?”
“How do you know of such things?”
Shusen tipped his head. “Am I not allowed? Besides, it’s just a hunch considering there aren’t many summoners left, isn’t that right?”
Sawyer let out a sigh. “Then, yes. He requires a small piece of the rock to unleash his dragon’s power. But what does this have to do with me?”
“So many questions,” Shusen said, and Sawyer huffed, for this man had asked a lot of questions, too. “I’ll just say, not only does he require a piece to control his dragon but so do you to gain control of this curse.”
“Is that...” Sawyer stared into the bright glow, taking in its powerful pulse like it had a heartbeat of its own. “True?”
“Shall I show you, Sawyer? Imagine, you can finally learn to use this dominant blight you’ve attained. Consider it more a gift from your father than a nuisance. You could be the strongest knight in Anscien’s army.” Shusen held out the stone again, this time allowing Sawyer to run his fingers against its rough edges. “And one needs all the strength he can in the upcoming war. No one could best you. Everyone would scatter in fear...”
“War?” Sawyer muttered, unable to look away from the stone.
“Yes, war. Shall you fight along with the people of Anscien or with the mages?” Shusen asked, though Sawyer didn’t much understand what he meant.
The thrum of the stone beat into Sawyer’s hand. He marveled at its magnificence, losing himself in the sheer beauty and magical properties. It’d throbbed with each syllable Shusen spoke as if it spoke itself. Suddenly, Sawyer was no longer listening to Shusen’s voice, but the stone’s... if it had a voice. He found each word, each sentence a fascination.
“...An all-out battle that could change the lands forever...”
As he ran his fingers around the edges, he noted how the textures differed—rough on the sides to smooth at its top and bottom. He could tell how it was plucked from the cavern, hammered awa
y until it broke off. Strange how it’d kept its beauty. He could only imagine that all other stones mined from the caves hadn’t been as gorgeous as this one.
“...Authority and strength could be yours...”
He needed it. Wanted it right then and there. If he could own a piece of this fantastic thing, it would be the greatest thing he’d ever possessed. A fire agate stone would help him control his powers.
“...Infuse a piece into your mechanical hand—”
“I’ll do it!” Sawyer spoke up. Wait, what was he agreeing to? “Yes, whatever you must do.”
Shusen nodded. “Very well. Shall we get started, then?” He dropped the stone into Sawyer’s hand, allowing its splendor to sweep him away.
Chapter Twelve
Port City
They’d arrived in Jinchun early morning as the people were just beginning to rise for their daily chores. Kohaku marveled at the passersby, just as he did in other villages of Qeoca. How some commoners wore the typical kimono dress just like the one he was gifted by his mother so many years ago. The women’s hair pinned to the middle of their heads, just as his mother wore hers. The dwellings here were so much different from his cabin back in Anscien—arched rooftops made of redwood just like he’d seen all around the countryside before.
Others were travelers dressed in common leather and hides, a strange sight for such a warm climate. The sound of ship bells echoed through the streets, so did the business of the port. Seagulls crowed in the distance, adding to the bizarre noises around him.
But the one difference he couldn’t escape was the humidity and scent of saltwater stuck in the air. He’d never been so close to the sea before, and a sudden curiosity to visit it had him stirring.
“This is marvelous,” Kohaku said excitedly as he trotted his horse nearby Fithel. “If we find Sawyer, I’d like to stay for a while and explore.”