Odriel's Heirs

by Hayley Reese Chow

  She clasped her hands on the table. “It’s been a month since his last letter, but the old coot is rarely punctual.”

  Kaia’s chest tightened. “Did he mention Jago?”

  Fiola met her eyes again. “He didn’t, but that doesn’t mean he’s not there. Evie said he needed to visit his brother in the east, but he’s always stingy with the details.” She looked to Shad and then Klaus, her voice low but sure. “I’m sure he’ll be here before you know it.” She stabbed the table with a stubby finger. “And if Ariston’s army nears, you can bet we’ll hear of it in Summerbanks. That town passes gossip faster than the Barker’s Flu they keep spreading around.”

  Kaia marveled at the energy the woman radiated—almost like yanaa. Suddenly, a hopeful thought struck her—could Fiola be one of Everard’s reclusive brethren? To her knowledge, except for Everard, the magi had all gone into hiding centuries ago, but maybe…. “Fiola, are you a… a magus?”

  The old lady belted out a musical laugh. “Oh, goodness no, dear! I’m just an old lady. Evie and I have a… history, I guess you could say. Now, I can’t seem to get rid of him or his rude cat!”

  Suddenly, a young voice echoed in from the yard, “Grannnnnnnnnnnnnyyyyyy Fiiiioooooooooolllllllaaaaaaaa!”

  “That boy.” Fiola rolled her eyes. “He knows I’m in here. I don’t know why he does that.”

  A youngish boy with a wild auburn mop of hair and dark bruise around his eye tromped into the kitchen. A golden daycoon, round-faced and fluffy, perched on his shoulder while he cradled another furry bundle in his arms. “Hey Gran, I found this orphaned ferrefox kit in the woods….” his voice trailed away when he saw they had company. His chocolate eyes regarded them with suspicion, and the daycoon cocked its head inquisitively. “Oh—people. We don’t usually have… people.”

  Fiola gestured at the guests around the table. “Oh, don’t fret, Mackie. These are the Heirs I told you about. As for the ferrefox, isn't the barn full of needy animals as it is?”

  Mackie’s distrust evaporated. “Oh, of course, I completely forgot! I’m Mackie Tannen—Everard’s apprentice.” He turned to Granny Fiola. “And don’t worry, Gran, I released the badgerret this morning, so we’ve got room for this one.”

  The Heirs greeted the boy politely, but inwardly Kaia’s heart clenched. He reminded her so much of Layf it almost hurt. He couldn’t have been but a year or two older.

  Fiola looked at the Heirs with sparkling eyes. “Mackie has a special gift too.” She tousled his hair fondly. “He speaks with flora and fauna and works wonders in my medicinal garden.”

  Mackie hid a blush in the ferrefox’s olive fur as he nuzzled it. “Well, sort of. There aren’t really any words ever, just a sort of understanding.”

  “And Mackie,” Fiola lifted a chin at the Heirs. “They came through Odriel’s pass.”

  Mackie’s jaw dropped, and his head whipped from Klaus to Kaia, his questions falling on top of one another. “Did you see any hawks? Anything out of the ordinary? Feel any strange yanaa?”

  Klaus sipped his cocoa, his eyebrows knitted. “No, why?”

  Mackie leaned forward in earnest. “They say Odriel travels that pass.”

  Kaia tilted her head. “The Maldibor mentioned that too, but I thought he was teasing.”

  Fiola took the ferrefox from the excited apprentice, calmly stroking its fuzzy ears. “You haven’t heard the story of Shava, the first female Dragon Heir?”

  Kaia shook her head.

  Mackie bounced on his toes with excitement. “They say she climbed barefoot to the top of the pass and waited all night on the highest peak without moving—no food, no sleep, no water—until Odriel finally appeared to answer her plea.”

  Klaus snorted. “Sounds like she hallucinated from weakness.”

  Kaia’s wide eyes looked from Mackie to Fiola and back. “That story isn’t in The Heirs' Way.”

  Fiola shrugged. “Some people don’t believe the old legend, but it’s fun to wonder.” She stood. “But the day grows long. I think it’s best if we all turn in early tonight.”

  Klaus nodded and gently kicked Kaia under the table. “Fiola’s right. You should get some rest, because tomorrow”—his eyes glinted with mischief—“we train.”

  Kaia kicked him back, just a little harder. “You’re on, Shadow.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The Conrads

  For the next two days, Kaia and Klaus clashed in the fields around Fiola’s farmhouse, just like the old days of the triennials. They sparred with canvas covered weapons, fists, and feet until they gasped for breath and sweat slicked their skin. Klaus still bested Kaia in nearly every bout, but she found if she dragged out the match, she could outlast him every now and then. They woke up sore and fell onto their mattresses as soon as the sun set.

  Still, the exercise only seemed to enliven their squabbling pranks. Kaia curdled Klaus’ milk when his head was turned, he filled her bed with stink berries, and she threw his boots into the bogswine pen.

  In their brief moments of peace, Kaia welcomed Mackie’s easy company as he shared his encyclopedic knowledge about every plant and creature under the sky. She watched with interest as he tended the animals in the barn and lovingly encouraged the plants to grow, as if they, too, could hear him. Meanwhile, Gus and Felix, Mackie’s daycoon, playfully chased each other around the garden, and Shad took to lounging in the sun on the tiled roof of the cottage, descending only when absolutely necessary.

  On the third day, sweat plastered Kaia’s shirt to her chest as she ran another loop around the barn, her fists encased in fire as she pumped her arms. She couldn’t see Klaus, but his labored footfalls followed not far behind. Her flames flickered as the yanaa unspooled from her core.

  “Lap sixty-seven!” She puffed, reaching the farmhouse.

  “Sixty-nine,” Klaus said, nearly in her ear.

  She threw an elbow in his direction. “You liar!”

  Mackie looked up from where he kneeled in the garden, dirt streaking his face. “You’ve got him, Kaia!”

  She put on another burst of speed as she rounded the house and almost ran straight into two tall, white stallions.

  “Whoah!” she said, extinguishing the flames and spinning to one side.

  Laughing, Klaus blinked back into sight beside her, sweat glistening on his tanned face. “I win.”

  Kaia ignored him as she looked up at the two immaculately dressed men on top of the spotless steeds. They had the look of a father and son. The son seemed about her age with fair curls and features while the father’s square jaw and close-cropped sandy hair lent him a firmer air. The father stared at her, his eyes studying her face intently.

  Glancing at his companion, the younger rider cleared his throat. “Is Lady Fiola about by chance?”

  As if on command, the old woman poked her head through the front door. Her face creased into a smile. “Well if it isn’t Lord Conrad and Master Valente.” She wiped her hands on her flowery apron. “I see you’ve met our young Heirs, Klaus and Kaia.”

  Conrad blinked, as if breaking a trance. “Taya’s daughter.”

  Kaia started at the mention of her mother’s name.

  He smiled apologetically. “Forgive me, you just look so much like her.”

  Fiola raised her eyebrows, and then her smile broadened. “Ah yes, I forgot you grew up in the old court.”

  The lord’s face softened. “Yes, your mother and I were good friends.”

  Fiola leaned against the porch rail. “What brings you to our humble abode?”

  Conrad dismounted from his ivory horse. “I’m afraid a few of our household staff have come down with that Barker’s Flu, and I’ve run out of your potion.”

  Fiola nodded, her smile faltering. “Oh yes, that one spreads faster than a stink, and can be lethal if untreated.” She waved a hand. “Please come in while I make you a draft.”

  Valente leapt from his horse and bowed before Kaia. “Guardian Dashul, it is an honor to meet the Dragon H
eir.”

  Klaus crossed his arms and leaned against the house. His face a careful mask.

  Kaia blushed, self-consciously wiping the sweat from her brow with a forearm. “Oh, no need for that.”

  “What were you doing running about on fire like that? If I may ask.” He grinned with a soft chuckle.

  She tapped the toe of her boot in the dirt. “Just training.”

  “And we should get back to it,” Klaus added curtly, turning away and disappearing back behind the house.

  Valente frowned, his eyes falling to the short sword at her belt. “Well, I’m not an Heir, but I’m decent with a rapier.” He patted the hilt at his hip. “If you’d like another partner.”

  Kaia raised an eyebrow, taking in his willowy frame.

  “Unless you’re scared,” he teased.

  Kaia rolled her eyes with a smile, drawing her blade. “If you insist, Master Valente.”

  The young noble drew his sword. “To first blood?”

  Kaia drew her blade and dropped back into a sparring stance. “Whenever you’re ready.”

  As soon as the words left her lips, he was on her—beating her blade and pressing her back in an aggressively graceful onslaught.

  Kaia retreated, parrying each volley and letting him set the pace until he finally fell back, panting. She kept her face carefully neutral. He was skilled, perhaps even as good as Bram. But his gentleman’s technique did not include some of his strongest weapons—his elbows, fists, and feet. Compared to Klaus, this was child’s play, but it was nice to have the upper hand for once.

  Kaia allowed him one more offensive charge. Valente advanced with feints and lunges until his pale complexion turned red and blotchy. Tired of the show, she let the tip of his blade brush her sleeve, teasing him with victory only a fingertip away. Then she knocked the blade from his fingers with a powerful blow and raised her weapon to tickle his Adam’s apple.

  She smiled at his gaping mouth. “No blood needed, right?”

  “Bravo!” Lord Conrad laughed as he clapped his hands together, stepping down from the porch toward his horse. “I see you have been teaching my son a most important lesson.” He raised a finger. “Never underestimate a beautiful woman.”

  Kaia stepped back with a blush. “No—"

  Valente straightened and laughed along with his father. “I would never underestimate a Dragon Heir.” He bent to retrieve his rapier. “But she bested me all the same.” He saluted with a flourish of the blade. “Perhaps I could come again tomorrow for another lesson.”

  Kaia’s blush deepened. “Uh, sure, I guess.”

  The young noble mounted his stallion. “Tomorrow then.”

  Conrad nodded to her. “A pleasure to meet Taya’s daughter.” Then, with a click of his tongue, the two nobles cantered off through the field, towards the wood and the town below.

  As they watched them ride away, Fiola winked at Kaia from the porch. “A handsome pair, no?”

  Kaia wrinkled her nose as she sheathed her sword. “I guess so.”

  “I wouldn’t trust Conrad,” Shad chimed in.

  Kaia looked up in surprise. She hadn’t noticed the cat’s perch on the edge of the brown shingled roof. “He’ll point his sails where the wind blows.”

  Klaus blinked into sight at Kaia’s side. “Agreed.”

  She jumped at his sudden closeness and shoved him away. “A little space, please?”

  He rested a hand on his own hilt. “You almost lost that bout, letting him get so close to you.”

  Kaia rolled her eyes. “You should know a trap when you see one, Shadow Heir.”

  “I see a fetching face distracts you, is what I see.”

  She reared back as if struck. “Is that what you think of me? Just some wool-headed mountain girl?” She pushed past him towards the house. “I’ve had enough of your sour mood for one day.” With that, she stomped up the porch and slammed the front door behind her.

  As she climbed the stairs, she heard Fiola’s sarcastic drawl. “Klaus, for the Heir with all the supposed cunning, you can be quite a fool sometimes.”

  ✽✽✽

  The next day dawned with a brilliant blue sky and a perfect summer breeze. Valente arrived early the with an eager smile, and Kaia jumped at the excuse to brush off Klaus’ stilted silence. She ran the young noble through basic training games she had long since mastered. He laughed easily but seemed more interested in games than training. Tiring of the repetitive exercises, he showed off for her by juggling knives, and she showed him to balance a sword hilt on his forehead.

  Mackie joined in with his own gymnastics—performing twisting flips off the barn loft into a hay bale. When he convinced Felix to mimic his antics with a back-flip belly flop, the trio laughed until tears ran down their cheeks.

  By midmorning, the three ran out of acrobatic ideas and retreated to the meadow to relax and sip freshly squeezed Cantalime juice from a flask. They lounged on their backs among the magenta blooms with Gus stretched out happily at their feet, and Felix curled up in the hound’s fur. Kaia breathed in a deep sigh, wondering at the feeling of peace that had fallen over her. Is this what it felt like to spend a day with friends?

  Valente rolled on his stomach, resting his chin on his hand as he regarded her with a smile. “So, Dragon Heir.” He reached out and plucked a rogue straw from her hair. “You and the Shadow are training to take on an army of dead soldiers?”

  Kaia tried not to roll her eyes as the reminder broke into her moment of respite. Couldn’t they just talk about something else for one day? She sighed. “Well, we’ve called on the Okarrian warriors to join us.”

  “And you think they’ll come?”

  She shrugged.

  Mackie sat up beside her. “But the original three heirs stood up to the Nifras all on their own.”

  Valente’s face creased. “How did that work, exactly?”

  Kaia twisted a sturdy blade of grass in her fingers. “The Dragon Heir burned the dead, the Shadow Heir dueled the necromancer, and the Time Heir healed them.”

  The noble glanced about the quiet farm. “So, the Time Heir is here somewhere too?”

  “He’s….” Kaia hesitated, tearing the grass apart with her fingers. “Traveling north with Everard to meet us.”

  “It’ll be just like the old legend.” Mackie chimed in, tickling Kaia’s nose with a weed.

  She sneezed and slapped Mackie’s hand away with a laugh—his cheer infecting her in spite of herself. “But better!”

  Valente pulled a crisp handkerchief from the pocket of his breeches and handed it to her. She sat up and wiped her face with a blush.

  He flashed another brilliant smile. “Well, you’re certainly the strongest fighter I’ve ever met.” He pushed himself to his feet and dusted off his breeches. “But I’m afraid I must be going today.” He whistled for his horse before looking down at Kaia once more. “Perhaps I could come again tomorrow?”

  She shrugged. “Of course.”

  “Wonderful.” He mounted and tipped his invisible hat. “Guardian Dashul, Master Tannen, until next time.” With that, he clicked his tongue and rode away through the swaying field.

  Mackie and Kaia shared a silent moment as they watched the white horse disappear into the wood. Kaia rubbed the silky handkerchief between her fingers. Klaus was wrong, of course—she couldn’t care less about Valente’s face—but, she could always use a friend.

  Mackie’s soft words broke into her thoughts. “You’re also the bravest fighter I’ve ever met.”

  She batted him on the shoulder. “You’ve never seen me do anything brave.”

  He snorted. “You and Klaus are taking on a dead army.” He stroked Gus’ ears, just how he liked it. “I can’t even face Ress.”

  Uncertainty and old memories rolled into Kaia’s mind like a sudden storm. “Is that who gave you the black eye?”

  “He’s a local boy.” Mackie sighed. “I had a bad run-in with him after I saw him kick a stray.” His dusty fingers touched th
e yellowed bruise around his eye. “Now, I can’t even bring myself to go into town.” He shrugged. “It’s just a black eye, but every time I think about seeing Ress again, I feel sick.” He looked away, hiding a rosy blush. “I’m not brave like you.”

  Kaia reached over and squeezed his arm. “Anyone can be brave, Mackie.” She drew back, gazing at the cloud-spotted sky. “It’s a choice we make every day.” The memory of Mogens’ grotesque smile shadowed her face, but her voice held steady. “Sometimes, when I’m scared, I just tell myself that I’m brave, over and over.” She clenched her fist. “Then, I take the first step.” She smiled at him. “That’s the hardest part.”

  He took a deep breath. “I think I could do that.”

  She tousled his hair. “Just give it a try the next time you’re feeling afraid.”

  Mackie punched her arm playfully. “But who would be afraid with the Dragon Heir on their side?”

  Kaia’s smile fell. All too many.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Nifras Knocks

  The next morning, Kaia woke late with a tickle in her throat and an aching head. With Gus following close behind, she bypassed the kitchen and stepped out onto the porch, hoping that the clean mountain air would ease her throat. She sat on the step and picked up an old stick to throw for Gus.

  She closed her eyes, willing the warm sunshine to soothe her throbbing temples. She could hear Fiola still bustling in the kitchen, Mackie crooning to the animals in the barn, and Klaus chopping wood somewhere with a repetitive thunk. Suddenly, the ground began to shake beneath her. Kaia’s eyes snapped open, and she jumped to her feet.

  Gus’ mouth barked anxiously as he pawed at her leg. Bad! Bad! Bad!

  As if a fist had closed around the sun, the sky suddenly went dark. The violent quaking surged, swaying the house and the barn on their foundations with a dangerous cracking. A cacophony of panicked bleats, neighs, and clucks erupted from the direction of the barn, and Kaia heard the doors bang open and the stampede of feet as the horses, sheep, and chickens burst out in all directions.