by Ashley Capes
Ayuni stood, offering him her chair. “Please, you look exhausted.”
“I fear we cannot afford to rest until we find a safer place to do so.”
Never introduced Muka to Ayuni properly before turning back to the warrior. “You’ve seen searchers?”
“None, but they will be heading this way sooner or later. And if I could follow the traces of spent lunai, believe others will be able.”
Never met the man’s gaze. “Niswan didn’t let you follow us, did she?”
“I do not need a nursemaid.”
“That’s not why she’s worried –”
“I meant you, Never,” he said with a faint smile. “Understand, I have come here to fulfil not only my word as I gave it to Wanatek, but my debt to you. I owe you my life.”
Never shook his head. “You’re too forgiving; it was my idiocy that landed us in that mess with Hiruso in the first place.”
“You must accept me if you are to help your sister.”
“And you have to tell us if you need to rest. I saw what he did, Muka. Even with my blood, you must need more time to heal.”
“A warrior heals through action.”
“A lovely thought but I’m not carrying you if you collapse,” Never said.
Again, his smile was slight. “That is fair.”
Chapter 20
Muka led them along the road, heading into the first blush of sunrise.
It had taken the rest of the night to wind their way down the tiers and start east across level grassland toward the village of Osa, which was only half a day south of Mondami. There, Muka was sure, was a woman who could help them with a better disguise. “She is a rudama,” he’d said, explaining that it meant ‘sorceress’ when Never asked.
Now they crouched within a stand of trees, looking down upon a guard post in the distance, two men stationed before a low, wooden barrier. One man looked to be carrying a bow, but it was hard to tell in the poor light.
“This is not the only road heading toward Osa but it is the most direct,” Muka explained.
“I can distract them,” Ayuni said.
“What do you have in mind?” Never asked.
“Fire.”
Never frowned; the memory of her tearful expression from earlier still vivid. “If we’re planning on burning them, let me.”
“No. I mean, that stand of trees off to the right. I think I can start a fire there.”
Muka was nodding. “Let’s try it; we can circle around from—”
“No, Muka. I think we might be close enough,” she said, though her expression was one of doubt. She knelt and closed her eyes. Next, Ayuni raised her hands, palms open before her. She cupped them and after a moment, a dancing flame of green and blue appeared. Never blinked. No knife, no blood, no crimson flame – just how different was what she called the Fire of Heaven? More lunai power? Perhaps Muka would know.
Ayuni opened her eyes, shifting to face the trees. She drew in a deep breath and exhaled. The flame bent toward the distant trees and then flickered out. Ayuni stood with a satisfied smile. “I didn’t know if I’d be able to do that.”
A moment later, grey smoke began to billow forth from the stand.
The guards didn’t react at first; not until an orange glow appeared. It was vivid against the shadowy stand of trees and the still lightening morning. Never turned back to the guards – one of which was now standing quite straight. After what appeared to be a short argument, he grabbed his fellow and started toward the growing blaze.
“Let’s hurry,” Ayuni said.
Once more, Muka led them along the hard-packed dirt of the road, moving swiftly. Between watching their surroundings and looking out for Ayuni, Never had done his best to keep an eye on Muka too, but the man was not showing any signs of slowing. He was still sweating, and his movement wasn’t totally free, particularly when it came to twisting his torso, but he was healing remarkably well. Even for someone who had Amouni blood applied directly to a wound... his own lunai at work?
And then there was Ayuni’s Fire of Heaven. It wasn’t so dissimilar to crimson-fire but nor was it the same. Had Father... done something to her? The monks? Ayuni didn’t seem to know all that much about it herself. Was her mother guiding her somehow? Just who had Father chosen as part of his dark plan to propagate Amouni children? A Kiymako sorceress?
The guard post slipped by and they continued on toward Osa.
“Should I put it out?” Ayuni sounded concerned.
“Best to let them,” Never replied. “We can’t afford to turn back.”
The sun had well-and-truly risen by the time they reached Osa. The village ran along the banks of a stream, dozens of buildings surrounded by more green rice fields and in places, crops of tomato plants and other vegetables, too.
Few people were about; most were at work in the fields but those that remained watched them as they passed by, heading for a home set a little ways beyond the rest. Never kept his hood raised, hoping people would focus more on Muka. It seemed there was no temple at least.
“Let’s hope she’s home,” Muka said when they reached the wooden door. A single large window bore closed curtains of clean white. He knocked and waited.
A voice called from within. “Who is it?”
“You can open up, Iri. It’s Muka.”
The scrape and thud of a bolt being drawn free followed, then the door swung open to reveal a young woman, probably a few years Ayuni’s senior, wearing a heavy robe of fur, despite the warm sun. Yellow ribbons of varying shades had been woven throughout the fur and she wore a similar dyed headband.
“Muka, it’s been a season already,” she said with a warm smile. She pulled him inside. “Bring your friends.”
Never let Ayuni enter first, then stepped into a single room – there was no dividing walls or curtains, just different furniture. One corner bore a neatly-made bed and the other a stove and two chairs around a table. Floor to ceiling shelving with a small stool before it, was packed with herbs, powders, vials and what appeared to be various parts of animal and insect, along with a collection of scrolls.
Muka handled the introductions and although Iri seemed surprised at Never, she grew wide-eyed at Ayuni. “You are the Princess in the Temple?”
Ayuni shook her head. “Just a prisoner, truly.”
Never glanced at his sister – was she starting to sound like him? Surely he wasn’t rubbing off on her so soon. Yet if so, it was a strangely comforting thought.
“Iri, we need your help,” Muka said. “We have to be able to travel more freely. Can you do anything for Never, here?”
She scratched at her nose. “I think so. It won’t be foolproof, but I have something. Let me find it.” She moved to her shelves, stepping up onto the stool to reach for one of the higher shelves. She brought down a jar from beside a phoenix statue and removed a black fang. Next, she took an empty jar and filled it with water from a basin. To this, she stirred in silver powder and handed it to Muka. “Place this in the sun out back. It needs a bit of time.”
He did as told.
“Thank you,” Never told her. “What of Ayuni?”
“Few people outside the temple would recognise me, Never,” she said. “It might be enough if I can change my clothing and hair.” She reached up to take her dark hair into her hands.
“I might be able to help with that too,” Iri said as Muka returned. “It’ll take a little while, and it won’t smell nice at first.”
“I’m ready,” Ayuni said.
The rudama collected a chair for Ayuni, placing it before the basin. Then she prepared another mixture, which she then applied to Ayuni’s hair. A strong scent followed, and Never moved to the window when it became clear Ayuni wasn’t going to be in any pain. “Can I open this?”
Iri nodded. “Just the window, leave the curtains.”
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He did as instructed, then looked to Muka. “I hate to ask, but how do you feel now?”
“Well enough.”
“You’re healing faster than I expected.”
“That is a good thing, surely?”
Never chuckled. “I agree, but I didn’t expect it – maybe it was how I administered the blood,” he said. “But I wanted to warn you. Doing so might change you, and I’m not sure how yet.”
He nodded. “Niswan told me. I would rather live changed than have died, you do not need to worry.”
“Good,” Never said. “I’d wondered if it had anything to do with your... other abilities. After all, everything else about you seemed pretty fast back there with Hiruso. You surprised me.”
Iri had looked up from her work at mention of Hiruso, brow furrowed. “Oh, you’re not mixed up with him, are you?”
“Just until I repay my debt to Never,” Muka said in a tone that was firm but not dismissive. Iri sighed but did not continue to question Muka, who turned back to Never. “Well, on the bridge I wasn’t expecting you to have your own impressive abilities.”
“But Brother Hiruso?”
“I’m still no-where near his match, that you saw.”
“What is it? He could do things I’ve not encountered, and I’ve seen a lot of strange things over the years.”
“It is an art, for mastery of the natural power within each man, each woman. Even children possess the power; it is no secret.”
“I’ll have to trust your word on that.”
“My people call the art lunai, after the moon. The northern peoples of Kiymako call it pho and the Restless have their own word too. Usually, only members of the temple are given extensive training in the art.”
“So both you and Wanatek?”
“Yes. Wanatek is my superior in the art but even he could not best Brother Hiruso alone – not now.”
“If he stands in our way, together we will do what one cannot achieve,” Ayuni said.
“I hope that is true, Lady.”
Never nodded too, trying his best to offer some semblance of agreement, yet his doubts were not so easy to shake, despite the heartening show of unity.
Chapter 21
Iri handed him the now-dry black fang on a leather cord, which he tied around his neck and concealed within his clothing. “This charm is taken from the yochan, a mountain beast known for its ability to blend with its surroundings. For you, it will have a similar effect. I’ve made it so that those who look upon you will see what they expect to see. The charm suggests that you belong, for them.”
Never touched it through his tunic. “This is a marvellous thing. How can I repay you?”
“Meeting Ayuni is its own reward,” she said. “And before you try to argue, let me warn you of its limitations. Truly powerful monks like Brother Hiruso will see through it immediately, unlike regular people or common monks. But the further you are from the already familiar, the less potent the fang will be no matter who you face.”
“And by that do you mean, the already familiar for Kiymako?”
“Yes. For instance, if you continue to dress as you are now, if you carry our weapons, eat our food, speak Kiyma and travel with Muka and Ayuni, you will seem Kiymako to those you meet. The sense of belonging will even extent to Muka and Ayuni if you are close.”
“But if I were alone and say, speaking Marlosi, it would lose its potency?”
“In the right – or wrong – circumstances, even your accent may be enough to give you away, so keep everything I have told you in mind.”
“I plan to stick close to Muka and Ayuni, believe me.”
The rear door opened and Ayuni and Muka entered, their arms laden with pink wildflowers of some sort, which they’d gathered for their host. Ayuni’s hair had changed from black to a golden brown. A sharp change, and hopefully enough to help confuse those who would be watching for them. Even Muka had made some effort to disguise himself, cutting and then shaving his greying hair close.
Iri wished them well, but took Muka’s arm as they started out. “There’s one more thing I want to ask you, Muka.”
He nodded, then looked to Never. “I won’t be far behind.”
“Right.”
Outside, Never and Ayuni started along the path that ran beside the stream. The sun was high overhead, a pleasant warmth, alleviated somewhat by a light breeze crossing the stream. Ahead, the fields were full of people heading back to eat, their robes a little shorter and more colourful here. Never kept his pace even – it was a fine time to test his charm.
As the people passed, few gave him a second look except to offer a greeting. Ayuni answered and he nodded with a smile.
Impressive indeed.
“Where are we headed next?” Never asked as the farmers thinned out.
“Still east. We’ll eventually reach the Yalinamo Forest.”
“Which lies beneath Cesanha?”
“Yes. I remember we stopped there on our journey down the mountain, it seemed such a large place to me as a child.” She frowned. “My village was much smaller but I think there was still a Temple at least, or a large building in any event, only I don’t think it was an inn. There was a river too.”
“That’s a start,” Never said. “And once we climb the mountain and find the village, that’s where we’ll find your mother?”
She smiled up at Never and a sense of the familiar struck him. Her smile reminded him of Snow’s – only Ayuni’s smile was far more open. Somehow, despite the trials she’d been through her expression lacked Snow’s bitterness. “I’m hoping she is still there, yes. And worry not; I believe I will be able to recall the way when the time comes.”
“But you’re not sure.”
“For so long now I have lived in a world of steel and stone, peering through bars or temple windows. A world of blades and vials...”
Never met her gaze. “I will stop him if he comes for you.”
“He will.”
“Then let’s put him to work,” Never said. “He can cross the entire land and if he climbs the mountain, we’ll cast him back down.”
Thudding footsteps from their back trail neared. Never turned but it was only Muka approaching.
“Everything well?” Never asked.
“Yes. Iri simply wanted to give me something for the pain,” he said. “And a warning.”
Never slowed. “Are we in danger here?”
“No. And she hesitated to worry us, for she is not certain. But as rudama she feels something stirring across the land.”
“Something?”
“She fears the Three Hammers have been unleashed.”
Ayuni gasped.
Never came to a halt. “That sounds unpleasant. And by your reaction, Ayuni, can I assume they’re worse than Hiruso?”
“Perhaps not worse. But they are the temple’s finest assassins. It is said they have not failed even once.”
“I look forward to disappointing them,” Never said.
Muka frowned. “Wanatek has long worried about their attention; he was sure we would be the Three’s next target.”
“Why would Brother Hiruso send them now?” Never asked. “Is he simply arrogant, assigning a task that is beneath him to some underlings?”
“I’m not sure,” Ayuni said. “One of the monks who tended to me was talking of Brother Hiruso some weeks ago. He said the Master was busy searching for some great relic of power, that he was near to its discovery.”
“More wonderful news,” Never said.
Muka shrugged. “Whatever his purpose, we now have the Hammers to contend with. We must be extra watchful, for they will find us. It is only a matter of time.”
“Can we stop them?” Never asked.
“Their lunai is strong, lesser than Hiruso but they are three.”
“As are we. Your lunai is strong, I am Amouni and so is Ayuni. We can match them, can we not?” Never asked.
“If we are not surprised, I would hope so.”
They continued on, heading for a crest where the road sloped up. Beyond, the eastern road stretched on through more farmland, but beyond it in turn, at the limits of his vision, a slight haze seemed to conceal a more barren terrain. The Cesanha Mountains were still too far to even catch a hint of, but they were closing slowly.
When evening fell, they’d reached a roadside inn surrounded by a large bamboo enclosure. Within, the snort and stamp of horses seemed to leap over the walls. “Somewhere for merchants to corral themselves?” Never asked.
Muka pointed to the stalls. “I see two different traders, one is on Temple business. See the Phoenix and the trunk of the red pine on the saddles? The trader is returning east, or on their way to the capital.”
“Another opportunity to test our disguises then,” Never said.
Muka nodded as he led them through the doors and into a busy common room. Few heads turned, though a group nearest the windows paid them some attention. “I spot two monks, though they are dressed more casually,” Ayuni said as they took their own table.
“So far no alarm bells,” Never said.
The conversation in the room seemed to centre around the condition of the roads and some ‘commotion over at Takbisu’ though no-one had the truth of it. Once they had drinks – a fruity wine – and meals placed before them, Never lowered his voice a little.
“Ayuni, I wanted to ask about your mother. And our father,” he said after a moment of hesitation. On the surface, Ayuni seemed at ease, seemed that she was dealing with her long imprisonment and sudden freedom well enough. But if she wasn’t, and asking such questions was simply going to reopen old wounds, he’d just as soon keep his mouth shut.
“I’ll tell you what I can, of course.”
“Thank you.” He sighed. How to explain his fear without alluding to Father’s particular evil? “Ayuni, do you think we have any more siblings?”