The Nivaka Chronicles Boxed Set

by Leslie E Heath

  “We caught her cleaning this not far from the Pavilion,” Faruz said flatly, holding up a large carving knife. There were still dark spots—dried blood maybe?—near the tip of the blade.

  Aibek considered the struggling woman. Possession of a carving knife at a banquet wasn’t necessarily a crime, but cleaning it outside the Pavilion was enough to arouse suspicion.

  And how did she get blood on the cuff of her sleeve?

  The meats at the wedding feast had been prepared elsewhere and carried to the banquet by the fairies and cooks. He glanced back toward the door of the workroom.

  After a long moment, Aibek asked, “Is there somewhere secure where we can hold her until we can gather more information?”

  He didn’t see any point in allowing her to speak right now. The rage in her chestnut brown eyes told him she’d deny any involvement, even if she’d wielded the knife herself—which he doubted. She had no blood on the front of her gown, which would have been hard to avoid if she had been the one who’d attacked his friend. The only bloodstains on her dress were on the very edge of the right sleeve.

  He had too many questions, and he didn’t really care to ask them at that moment. The answers didn’t matter until he knew whether Alija would survive.

  Dalan answered quietly, “Tavan converted the top floor of one of the houses on the Square into a dungeon. The keys are still in the guards’ room there, but I’m not sure who would guard the girl.” He looked uncomfortable and shifted a bit, adjusting his grip on her arm. “We released all of Tavan’s prisoners the day we took our freedom back.”

  Everyone turned as Valasa swung the workroom door open and stepped into the den. He glanced around at the worried-looking friends, then eyed the woman who still fought against her captors.

  “Alija will recover, as long as no fever sets in.” Valasa never took his eyes from the prisoner. “The wound was deep, and took some work to clean and close, but I don't believe it did any lasting damage.” He turned and met Aibek’s eyes. "You did well. It’s a good thing you got the bleeding stopped. He’ll heal much faster because of your efforts.”

  “What should we do with the woman?” Faruz gripped her arm with both hands. “Who can guard her until we can sort out the details in the morning?”

  “Take her to Tavan’s prison,” Valasa answered gravely. “It’s the only secure place in town. I’ll have someone meet you there to take over.” He slowly assessed the woman’s appearance, his gaze lingering on the blood stains on her sleeve.

  At least that’s settled for the night, Aibek thought.

  Exhaustion had hit him like a wall once he knew Alija would live, but he thought he’d wait for Faruz to get back. It wasn’t likely this woman was the assailant unless she’d changed her gown. That meant the real attacker was still out there, and Faruz and Dalan could be in danger transporting the woman to her cell. He started to sit, thought better of it, and grabbed his sword. He clicked the door closed behind him and followed his friends into the night.

  * * *

  The next morning began much the same as all the days before, with the friends meeting in Aibek’s room at sunrise. They’d slept late after the commotion of the day before, but Aibek was in no rush to leave his rooms. The trip to the jail had been uneventful, and they’d left the woman under the watch of Amiran, the man who had told them of the messengers’ arrival only a week ago.

  Aibek stared out the window at the growing light and allowed his mind to wander. He absently grabbed a cake from the tray Serik had brought and nibbled at a corner.

  How's Alija doing this morning?

  He’d left his friend sleeping quietly in one of the small bedrooms on the first floor. Before last night, he hadn’t known those rooms were even there, but apparently, they served as a sort of infirmary. Valasa had explained that he liked to keep some patients close so he could monitor their treatment.

  After a long while, when they'd eaten almost all the food, and the friends were finishing the last of the famanc, Faruz finally broke the silence. He rambled on about the dancing and the food, but mostly he talked about the people. Aibek only half listened to his friend, his mind trying to unravel the mystery of Alija’s attack. Still, he gradually found himself listening more carefully to the conversation around him.

  As Faruz talked about the wedding celebration and all that had happened before Alija’s attack, Aibek realized that Faruz was falling hard for the dark-haired beauty, Zifa.

  He tried to be tactful. “You know, now really isn’t a good time for romance. We’ve got bigger problems to deal with.”

  “I know, I haven’t known her long enough to see if we have anything in common at all. But I really like her, and she smells amazing.” At his friend’s hard look, Faruz continued, “I’ll take it slow, I promise. We still have to figure out who’s trying to kill us, then win the battle for the village before anything can happen with a girl.”

  “I hope so. We really don’t need to make things more complicated than they already are.”

  Faruz gave him a crooked grin. “You know, you could take your own advice. You were getting pretty close to Ahren last night, too.”

  “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about on that front. Ahren’s done her level best to hate me since I got here, and she wasn’t in a hurry to dance with me last night.”

  Faruz laughed. “Oh, please! The way she was plastered against you during that dance made it pretty clear she likes you.”

  “I thought so, too, but then she avoided me for the rest of the night.” Aibek sighed. “Really, it’s best if she does keep her distance. I have enough other problems.”

  Faruz nodded and stuffed the last muffin into his mouth, and they headed downstairs to join the family. Aibek stopped to check on Alija before leaving for the day. He found his friend propped against a pile of fluffy pillows, eating a bowl of porridge. He still looked terribly pale. They chatted quietly for a few minutes, and Aibek went to meet Faruz and Serik in the den.

  Today, Aibek planned to tour the traditional mayor’s home. His stomach churned with fears of what he might see, and he repeatedly wiped his hands on the fabric of his pants. This was the place where his parents had lived their lives and where they'd died. He knew it wasn’t ready to be lived in yet, but workers had removed Tavan’s outdoor altar, and they had almost finished the interior work. The workers wanted his opinion on some details, so it was time to face his fears. Serik and Faruz planned to come along to see the house and to provide some moral support.

  The three of them bid good morning to the family before they left the house, then together walked the short distance to the mayoral home. Their destination at the other end of the Square looked rather modest compared with the Gadonu's enormous house. It had two floors and many windows on the front of the building. The main entry doors were propped open to allow in the cool breeze while the repairmen worked. The exterior looked like a simple log home, except for the carvings along each log. The elaborate designs mirrored those on the boardwalk and the Pavilion, in what Aibek now recognized as typical Nivakan style. Dark green trim accented the windows and doors, giving the home a warm, welcoming appearance.

  I should have grown up here.

  Aibek stopped for a moment and inhaled a few deep breaths to steady himself before he took the step into his parents’ home. The area immediately inside the front door was a large, open space. The floor was bare wood, and a large stone fireplace filled one wall. He recognized the foreman coming to meet them as soon as they stepped inside.

  “All the furniture in here was ruined by that gov’nor, so we had to replace it all,” he began. “We’re getting ready to upholster the sofas and chairs, but need your opinion on colors and such.” The worker went straight to the issues at hand in a no-nonsense manner that Aibek appreciated. He chose a few fabric samples from a selection on the hearth, then began a slow tour through the rest of the home.

  Every room showed evidence of repairs underway, and the whole house smelle
d of paint and sawdust. The pounding of hammers made conversation difficult in some areas. Here and there, undamaged old paintings leaned against the walls, waiting to be rehung after the workers finished the repairs. They didn’t talk much as they toured, except an occasional comment on this repair or that color.

  Aibek relaxed almost immediately, relieved that it merely looked like a construction zone. Before he'd made it through the first two rooms, the sick feeling had left his stomach, and he wished he had eaten more at breakfast.

  The foreman assured him everything would be done to his specifications. Aibek didn’t think he could bear to claim his parents’ bedchamber as his own, so he asked to have that space converted to a meditation room and told the foreman he would take the next largest chamber for his room.

  He stood for several minutes in his parents’ empty room after the others had left to explore the rest of the house. Even with the bare wood and sawdust, this room felt almost alive, somehow. Aibek thought he could sense his parents here. He shook his head against the ridiculous thought. He didn’t believe in ghosts, and his parents had been dead for twenty years. He took a deep, calming breath and ran his hands through his hair, then strode down the hall to catch up with the others.

  At the back of the house, Aibek and Faruz found a small outdoor courtyard, lined with benches and empty planters. In the center stood an empty fountain, its top broken off and sitting nearby. With a few repairs and some plants, this could be a special retreat. Serik showed him a hidden gate at the far end of the courtyard and explained that it led to a secret entrance to the village.

  “This is how I got you out the night of the attack. I was afraid you’d cry and give us away, but you slept right through all the noise and we made it safely out of the village.”

  The old man then showed them how the secret stairwell was hidden by a bench, which had helped keep their escape a secret. They climbed down the stairs and found a splintered crib, infant chair, and dozens of tiny clothes and rattles still piled in a heap near the entrance. Serik told them the servants had thrown it all out so the invaders wouldn’t know to look for a child. They stood in the forest and looked around quietly for several minutes before ascending to complete their tour.

  By the time they had finished the tour of their future home, choosing curtains for this room or a paint color for that one, it was almost time for lunch. Faruz wanted to join the others for fighting practice that afternoon, but Aibek wasn’t quite ready to leave. He sent Serik and Faruz to meet Dalan at the park and went back into his future home.

  He assured the foreman that he was pleased with the repairs and told the man he simply wanted to hang around for a bit, then slowly wandered back toward his parents’ room. There was just something about that space.

  Aibek couldn't explain why he felt so drawn to that room, except that it was where his parents had spent their time. The latch clicked as he closed the door behind him and advanced into the space. Ira had always been loving and supportive, but he’d grown up longing for the opportunity to meet his parents. He’d always dreamed of having a father he could turn to for advice, and he’d often daydreamed about meeting his mother. Never knowing if they were alive or dead had weighed heavily on him throughout his childhood. He sat in the middle of the bare floor and stared at a whimsical painting leaning against the wall. The brilliant colors drew his eye, and he wondered how it had survived all those years without damage.

  He rested there for a while, his mind drifting over all that had happened since he’d arrived in Nivaka nearly two months before. It was hard to believe how much his life had changed in such a short time. As his thoughts moved towards the uncertain future, he thought about how much he wished for his father’s guidance.

  He spoke aloud to the walls as he dropped his head into his hands. “I wish you were here to help me.”

  A voice came from behind him. “I am here. I always have been.”

  Startled, Aibek jumped up and turned toward the voice. Gooseflesh erupted over his arms and neck. His eyes quickly scanned the barren space. It was empty. He thought at first he must be losing his mind, but Aibek was sure he had heard those words.

  “Be calm, and you will see me,” the voice resumed.

  Aibek backed up until he touched the wall behind him, then sat facing into the empty room.

  After a moment, the voice came again. “Close your eyes, and clear your mind.”

  Aibek did as he was told, and waited for whatever would happen next.

  “You have never been alone. We’ve always been near you, even when you thought we didn’t care. We would have given anything to raise you ourselves, but that wasn’t meant to be.”

  Aibek took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Across the room stood a man who looked like an older version of himself.

  “Father? Is that really you? How is this possible?”

  Eddrick repeated, “We’ve always stayed near to watch over you.”

  Aibek shook his head. “I don’t understand. Why haven’t you talked to me before? I’ve never wanted anything more than this.”

  “I’ve tried so many times, but your mind wasn’t open. You always said you didn’t believe in spirits… I didn’t know how to make you see me.”

  “I thought I saw someone in my room during the storm. Who was that?”

  “That was your mother. She’s never been far away, either.”

  “This is incredible,” Aibek grinned. “Can you help me lead the village? I don’t know how to be a mayor.”

  “I can only answer direct questions, and I can’t tell you what will happen. But I’ll always be here to help you.”

  “Can you tell me who poisoned us? Or who stabbed Alija?”

  Eddrick looked as if he might answer, then turned at the sound of footsteps in the hall.

  They heard the foreman’s question. “Aibek, sir, are you still in there?”

  “Yes, I’m here,” Aibek said through the closed door.

  “I have to go for now,” Eddrick whispered, “but know that I’m never far away.”

  Aibek was alone in the room when the foreman opened the door and strolled into the room. “Your friends are looking for you, sir. Can I tell them you’re on your way?”

  “Yes, I’m coming.” The mayor followed the foreman to the front door, where Faruz and Serik stood waiting.

  Faruz looked hard at his friend in concern. “Are you all right? You're awfully pale.”

  Serik stared at his friend with a concerned expression and silently placed a hand on the young man’s shoulder.

  Aibek shrugged. “I’m fine; I just feel closer to them here.”

  Faruz slanted his head to one side, eyes narrowed. “I see… Are you ready for some lunch, or do you need more time?”

  Aibek’s stomach snarled aloud, and he realized for the first time he was starving. The friends laughed at the loud grumble, and they headed off to Valasa’s house together.

  As soon as the friends came through the door, Aibek knew something was very wrong. The Gadonu and his wife stood in one corner of the den, leaning close together in earnest conversation. Nearby, Ahren and Dalan stared blankly out the window. No one even acknowledged Aibek or his friends as they came into the room.

  Aibek braced himself for more bad news, then asked, “Has something happened? Alija?”

  “Alija’s doing well. He’s resting now,” Valasa began. “You know that part of my job is to maintain communications with the other villages in the Tsari, right?”

  At Aibek’s nod, he continued. “Today I received several messages from our neighboring villages.” He took a deep breath and looked away, then said, “They’ve overheard Helak’s guards and governors talking about a large battalion of soldiers preparing to come this way.”

  Aibek nodded again and chose his words carefully. “We knew this was coming. We’ll have to work harder to build our forces and finish fortifying the village…”

  He trailed off and stared into the empty fireplace, then turned back to t
he room.

  “Have the villagers heard this? I would prefer to keep it quiet for now and inform the people all at once. And, I think we should call a council meeting immediately.” Aibek paced the floor while he thought out loud, “Can we send someone to bring them here? Is that acceptable? Or is there some chamber somewhere we can use for a private meeting?”

  He was sure the entire council should know of this warning so they could have at least the outline of a plan in place before they told the villagers of the army’s preparation.

  Valasa looked thoughtful, then said, “I think… I could have the fairies notify the others, and there’s an empty room upstairs that should be perfect for a small meeting.”

  In less than an hour, all the council members except Alija assembled in the small sitting room on the third floor of Valasa’s home. It was a cozy room, with a few small tables and several comfortable chairs arranged around the room. One sofa dominated the wall under the large picture windows. It was an ideal place to sit and discuss their problems and plans at length, though Aibek thought it smelled a little musty. The servants hadn’t had much time to air it out for their meeting.

  Aibek didn’t wait for Valasa to call the meeting to order. Instead, he blurted out the news they’d gotten that afternoon and added, “I know we expected this, but I thought we’d have more time.”

  The council members stared at him in stunned silence until Aibek started to feel a little uncomfortable.

  Finally, Valasa spoke again. “Yes, I think we all thought we’d have more time to prepare.” He turned to look at Aibek. “You’re the only one in this room with any training for this type of thing. What should we do?”

  Zifa broke in. “Now hold on! He may be the only one with an education, but we all have to work together on this. As he said before, many of the techniques he learned in school won’t work here in the trees.”