by Ashley Capes
“No.” Ayuni gave a shiver and her eyes hardened. “You are not welcome here, usurper.”
“That will soon be a moot point.” He started forward slowly. “I do not wish to waste your blood if I can help it. So I will offer you surrender but once; I will give you the chance to spare the Amouni and the Sword of Stone, only once, Ayuni. Choose now.”
“Do not believe him, Ayuni,” Muka said, voice firm.
“Hiruso, you are wrong. I am a fool,” Ayuni said. “But I have eyes. I see into your shrivelled heart. Begone lest I sear your flesh from your very bones.”
Brother Hiruso snapped his fingers. “She must live.”
The Hammers sprang forth.
Chapter 35
A bowstring snapped.
Never pulled Ayuni back as pain erupted in his leg. A shaft protruded, and blood poured down his thigh. Muka had already leapt forward to engage the spearman. Both fighters moved with the aid of their lunai, almost too fast to trace. Sparks flew when their weapons met, and they fought in and amongst the benches as if they faced off on level ground.
The Hammer with the tyrant was swooping in from the side, Never had already lost sight of the bowman when the bowstring twanged again.
A green burst of fire roared.
Something metallic hit the stones at his feet. Ayuni had burnt away the arrow’s shaft! He only had a moment to release it, forced to leap forward and meet the swordsman. Never flung a dagger as he did, but the man dodged easily. Never had already drawn another, crossing the blades to catch the whistling sword.
The blow drove him back and before he could react, the Hammer had swung his second blade, arm bearing its odd after-image, steel tearing into Never’s side. Pain jolted him and Never spat a curse as the Hammer pushed him to the stone, heading for Ayuni. From his knees, Never let his wings burst free and beat them in a mighty blast, throwing the Hammer off balance just as Ayuni flung a wave of blue and green flames at the man.
It wasn’t much but it was enough.
The scent of seared flesh filled the space between them.
A burnt husk fell to the floor, melted steel pooling on the stone.
Another arrow snapped and Ayuni cried out, clutching her calf. She hit the ground but flung another blast of flame, yet she was too slow – the Hammer was already moving in, bow forgotten, some manner of vial and cloth in his hands.
Never called the crimson-fire around him.
There was no way he could strike the archer directly. The Hammer would dodge any such attempt and more, the man was already upon Ayuni, cloth moving toward her face.
“No!” Never roared.
Burning blood exploded from his body. It tore through the air in all directions, there was no way to avoid it, and it covered Ayuni and the archer. Both were thrown back, falling in a heap. Never clawed his way to his feet, tearing the wound in his side further as he did, breath escaping in ragged gasps.
A figure stirred – Ayuni.
She stood, shaking her head as if groggy, but she was unharmed. Never shuddered with the relief; his gamble had paid off. No daughter of the Phoenix – doubtless with or without Amouni blood – was ever going to be harmed by the crimson-fire. The Hammer on the other hand was a sooty lump, unrecognisable.
Applause echoed in the Temple.
Never turned, using his wings to aid him since his injured leg was slow to respond. His body was afire with agony but at the same time, he was dimly aware of it working to heal, struggling against the onslaught of agony from his wounds.
But it was the man clapping his hands that held Never’s gaze.
Brother Hiruso had not moved. “Look at what such a small victory has cost you.” He gestured to Never and then off to the side, where Muka stood leaning on his tyrant, bleeding from half a dozen wounds. “Impressed as I am that you managed to defeat my best men, I will not accept further resistance now. Your blood has given me much, Ayuni but I will not be beholden to it forever. There is something I need from the Great Phoenix – and so I ask that you accompany me to the nest where you will call your Mother.”
She shook her head. “I will not.”
“I do doubt that.” The monk lurched forward, appearing before Never in a flash. Hiruso held one of Never’s own knives to his throat. “Final opportunity, girl.”
Ayuni gaped.
“Burn us both,” Never whispered to his sister.
Hiruso flinched.
A bloody sword point protruded from his chest. The monk glared at it as he fell back, spinning to backhand his attacker.
Muka flew across the chamber to crash to the ground, tumbling into the benches with a groan.
Pain and triumph warred across Hiruso’s features. He reached behind his back and jerked the blade free, letting it clatter to the stones. Blood ran down his robe, but it soon slowed to a trickle. “My my, how rich your blood, Ayuni. But it is a mere trinket to what I will soon possess.”
“You do not understand what you seek,” Ayuni said, her voice breaking.
“So young to preach,” he replied. “Now, let us try again. Call your Mother if you wish for Never to survive.”
Ayuni glanced to Never, then Muka and back to Never before her shoulders slumped. “You will spare them?”
“Ayuni, you cannot trust him,” Never shouted, even as his legs began to buckle.
She smiled down at him. “Never, let me do this for you. Let me protect you, now.”
Tears blurred his vision. “Ayuni!”
She looked back to Hiruso, lifting an arm to point at him. “Say it.”
“I will spare them.”
Ayuni closed her eyes. “Follow me now.” She started toward the huge nest of marble, moving around and out of sight, Hiruso close behind, his blood-stained back the last thing Never saw before collapsing.
But he held onto consciousness.
When he looked up once more, both were gone. He clawed his way after them, hauling himself across the floor. After a time, Hiruso’s voice rose in anger. Never growled as he dragged himself further, his limbs flagging. Even his wings were useless – he didn’t have the strength to rise anyway and darkness was sweeping in.
Large, golden eyes appeared before him.
“Hin?”
The fae crept closer, again moving soundlessly on all fours – only now it was so much bigger than before, like a mastiff made of leaves and shoots. It tilted its head in its questioning way, and reached out a hand, plant-like fingers twitching.
“Sorry... I... have... nothing,” he murmured.
But the hin did not turn away, instead, it hopped closer. Its hand wrapped around Never’s wrist and he pulled back – or tried to – but his efforts were useless. The sucker-like fingers found a wound.
Warmth rushed through him.
He gasped. New energy flowed into his body, pulsing as it filled him. Pain receded and the dimness to his vision too; he was able to move once more. As the power faded, Never blinked. The hin was now as he’d first seen it, little more than a butterfly – two green leaves with yellow dots beating in place as it watched him stand. “Thank you,” he said.
The hin bobbed, then faded away.
Never started around the black marble, his limbs responding slowly. It was enough, and by the time he reached the stair he was able to bound up them.
At the top, he froze.
Down in the centre of the nest, standing waist-deep in swirling ashes of black and grey, two figures were locked together. Ayuni blazed with blue and green fire, her features and form still clear where she clung to Hiruso. The monk was struggling to free himself, his face a rictus of fear and pain, his robes gone, seared away.
Clever girl!
Ayuni had played the man wonderfully – drawing him away from Never and Muka and into a place where she could destroy him.
Yet thus far, Br
other Hiruso was resisting the flames.
As Never watched, parts of the monk’s face, his arms and torso would sear and blacken, only to restore themselves as quickly as the flames burnt his flesh away. Ayuni flared brighter and Hiruso cursed but could not free himself. Yet still he resisted. Her fire grew brighter and hotter still – Never crouched, shielding himself from the intensity, even as she cried out, the flame wavering now.
Hiruso tore an arm free from her grip with a laugh.
“I don’t think so,” Never growled. He sliced into his palms and called the crimson-fire. The globes snapped up around his hands. He flung both arms down. Searing blood shot forth, striking the monk in the chest.
Hiruso howled.
Ayuni’s flame brightened.
Never kept the stream blasting forth and Ayuni’s own flames roared anew, drowning out Hiruso’s shriek as his body shrivelled. Never began to pant, but he kept up the crimson-fire a little longer, until every scrap of blackened flesh slipped from the monk’s bones.
And then, as Ayuni gave a twist of her hands, snapping the mere skeleton she now held, Never slumped to his knees, cutting the flow.
“And now, we rest,” he said, collapsing once more.
Chapter 36
When he woke the flame around Ayuni had dimmed, but it remained bright enough to light the entire chamber – the softer green and blue now responding in the very stone of the walls, as if the whole temple was welcoming her. The remains of Brother Hiruso were buried within the still gently swirling ashes of the nest and peace filled Ayuni’s face as she smiled up at Never.
“Never, it’s working,” Ayuni said. “She’s here.”
“Your mother?”
Ayuni nodded. “We’ve had a chance to talk and I understand now. And I know you must be in pain, but she wants to thank you for bringing me here.”
“It was all you, sis.”
She smiled, then closed her eyes. “I’ll be listening.”
Never glanced around but nothing changed – and then his eyes widened. The flames were growing around Ayuni, twisting and surging up toward the roof, filling the entire nest – yet they did not burn him. The figure continued to transform, Ayuni still at ease where she stood at the bottom, becoming a bird of fire, great wings outstretched to brush the tips of the walls, mighty beak open in a soundless cry. Blazing eyes bore down on him, yet it was a fierce joy he sensed, not anger.
Never of the Amouni, Brother to my Ayuni. You are most welcome here.
“Divine One.”
Perhaps now, but I was once a young woman like Ayuni, full of shock and wonder – perhaps that is part of what drew me to your father.
“An unhappy memory, I imagine.”
For the most part. The bird’s fiery feathers drew closer to her body. But he left me a gift – one that, while he later stole – you have returned. You are everything your father was not, you are true Amouni.
Never swallowed back sudden tears. “Thank you.”
I know you must have questions, but I cannot answer them all, I must complete the rebirth before the window of opportunity closes. I only regret that Ayuni must take the mantle so soon.
“What do you mean?”
In order to defeat Brother Hiruso, she evoked the rebirth ceremony. It cannot be interrupted, for if that were to come to pass there would be no Great Phoenix ever again and more – as the living embodiment of the Goddess, she cannot leave this shrine until her own child takes up the burden.
Never stared at Ayuni’s face, still a picture of calm. Did she know what she was giving up? Not just her freedom but truly, her entire life. So many possibilities were now closed to Ayuni. “That is hardly fair, Great One.”
I agree, yet Kiymako needs our line, just as the whole of the lands need the Amouni. Without us, the world is diminished.
“I do not know if I agree about the Amouni.”
Do not judge all on your father. The bird began to shrink, a steady lessening. Ayuni is at peace with her decision, for her sake I hope you can be as well. Do not fear, many will return to this place and make it sing with life once more. Sister Sikoka. Biyo and others.
“Biyo?”
I was able to send him to aid you – you met him in the corral.
The disappearing guard! How long before they arrived?
She will not be lonely.
“I hope so.”
I will not fade completely for some time yet. Search the rooms beyond the Shrine and you will find a token of my gratitude.
Ayuni opened her eyes, the flame still surrounding her, only now it was much tighter around her body, like a second skin. Still, she moved freely as she drifted up to stand before him, climbing a stair of ashes.
“Never.”
He could not stop a sigh, though he’d meant to conceal it from her; he should have been able to control his selfishness. “Are you sure about this?”
“I am – all my life I have served others, only now I can make a far greater difference, I can be part of changing the Temple. My only regret is that I cannot travel to see my brother’s homeland. Will you return to visit me, Never?”
He reached out with his birch hand, passing through the flames to touch her cheek a moment. “You know I will.”
“Good.”
Never glanced to the ashes, unsure of what to say next. “Is that the end of Hiruso, then?”
“Yes.” She shuddered. “If nothing else, his patience was impressive – to wait so long for us to lead him here.”
“I have to wonder what role Father played in this.”
“Mother believes he forged an arrangement with the Temple after my birth, doubtless he did not wish for me to follow in mother’s footsteps, since it would spoil his plans for me to bear more Amouni children.”
“I will search his journals,” Never said. He met her eyes. “What will you do now?”
“Prepare for those I have called – Sister Sikoka is among them. She will bring others and hopefully specific information about what Hiruso was doing with my blood. We will start slowly; I still have much to learn.”
He nodded. At least she would not be alone long. And she was doubtless safe, since she was now the Great Phoenix. He’d been a fool not to see it sooner – there had been enough signs, chief among them the differences with her crimson-fire. But smaller clues ought to have been enough too, the way the Guides had not addressed her as ‘master’ as though she were more Phoenix than Amouni perhaps...
“Will you help Muka?” she asked. “He will be conscious soon.”
“Of course.”
“Farewell, Never – and thank you.” She started back down toward the centre of the marble nest. “I must finish the ceremony now, but please remember your promise,” she said with a smile. “I need my brother.”
“I will.”
He waited until she stood once more in the centre, where the light began to return, a swift brightness that he flinched from. When it eased, she was gone.
“Ayuni...” Never turned and made his way back down to the temple floor, his steps heavier than before. A familiar emptiness took its place within him – threatened to drag him down, but he held it at bay, even as he knew it would return soon enough. Instead, he checked on Muka, shifting the man into a more comfortable position, finding his pulse before heading outside.
The shrine’s glow lit his way. A narrow path of paved stone led behind the egg to a trio of stone huts, and beyond, in a tier that led down, were more homes. All empty, all bearing overgrown gardens, but he chose the nearest, passing through an empty doorway.
Inside, he found a single large room with an empty bed and a cold stove, but a necklace of a dusky orange fire-stone lay curled at the end of the bed. He lifted the item, pulling it over his head. The stones were lighter than they seemed, resting easily beneath his tunic, beside the fang.
> Yet no sense of its purpose was revealed and so he left with a murmur of thanks.
Chapter 37
Muka’s injuries ensured that their journey back down the tunnel, through the abandoned Vale of Light, and down the mountain and beyond the Beshano River was a slow one, but it was uneventful at least – thanks to the charm. It continued to shield them from all they encountered, be they farmers or the handful of monks which were climbing up toward what would no doubt be a fruitless search.
Even if they did discover the hatch beneath the debris Never had replaced, he doubted Ayuni would welcome them.
The thought drew a sigh.
“You’ve been doing that for days,” Muka said. He leant on his makeshift crutch, wiping beads of sweat from his brow where he rested beneath the shade of a tree. While he moved much easier now, he was not fully healed by any stretch. Bandages were still visible beneath the rips and tears in his clothing. Never’s own wounds were healing quickly, though he was not likely to pick a fight with any of the monks just yet.
“I know.”
“She is safe, Never.”
“True.” He dumped his pack and removed a water flask, taking a long drink. “There is that at least.”
“And I do not wish to add to your burden, but I suspect it is time for you and I to part ways too. There is much that must be done to continue the rebellion, even with Hiruso finished but before that there is something I must see to before I seek Wanatek.”
Never paused. “Are you sure—”
Muka pointed with a grin. “None of that from you – I can look after myself now.”
Never chuckled. The man was probably telling the truth about his recovery, considering his lunai, and Never would be able to travel quicker alone but that did not mean he sought yet another parting so soon. Watching over Muka during the journey so far had nearly been enough to keep the emptiness at bay. “I wouldn’t dream of it. And your mysterious task?”
“I wish to see my daughter.”
He lowered the flask. “Your daughter? Is she nearby?”
“Somewhat. Iri made the charm you wear.”