Dalan raised his head with a huge grin. “I think that’s a fantastic idea. You know Zifa would vote in favor of a party, too.”
Wayra hesitated. “Could we wait until the others are back from Kainga? I’d love to dance with Zyana.”
Aibek nodded. “Yes, I think we should wait until the evacuees are home. They should be back tomorrow. So, are we doing this?”
Kai pointed at Aibek with a worried expression. “I hope we've defeated all our enemies. All the parties we’ve had since you got here have ended badly. We really don’t need another attack.”
Aibek chose not to respond, calling for a vote instead. If they counted Zifa’s expected vote, the measure passed. Aibek walked away from the others on aching legs, heading for Valasa’s house. He found the Gadonu mixing broth in the kitchen and asked him to set some of the fairies and cooks on the task of preparing the Pavilion for the party.
Smiling, Valasa scooped some of the steaming liquid into a small bowl. “Of course! That sounds like a wonderful idea. I’ll do that just as soon as I get everyone fed properly.”
Before Aibek could say anything more, the healer turned and strode down the hall to the sickrooms where the most critically injured warriors were bedded down. As he opened the door, Aibek caught a glimpse of Serik, who had stayed to help nurse the wounded.
Alone in the kitchen, Aibek sampled the aromatic broth, then made a face. It smelled amazing but tasted vile. He dropped the spoon back on the counter and hobbled toward his own home. He’d checked on Faruz and Alija on his way in and found Faruz sleeping. There had been no change in Alija’s condition, according to the old man sitting with him.
* * *
Back at the mayoral home, Aibek lingered for a while in the den with some of the visiting warriors, but the small talk soon left him irritated. He wanted to be alone, but his sore legs didn’t want to carry him down into the forest. Instead, he made his way to his private sitting room and dropped into his favorite chair. He missed Faruz and Serik. Maybe they’d be able to come home after another day or two. Aibek sighed and laid his head back against the cushioned chair.
A soft, feminine voice roused him. “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to catch you alone.”
Startled, Aibek sat up and looked around, searching for his visitor. He must have been dozing. Who was in his room? And how had she managed to open and close the door without waking him?
After a quick scan of the space, he frowned. He was alone. Could he have dreamt the voice?
“Sorry, I’m not very good at this.”
The voice sounded as if it were near the fireplace, so Aibek stared hard in that direction. A moment later, the apparition of a young woman appeared. She was more transparent than Eddrick and Kiri had ever been, at least as far as he could remember. He looked closely at her face, trying to place where he’d seen it before. Her pale features were familiar, but she kept fading in and out, making it difficult for him to identify her. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and tried to focus.
Finally, his overwrought mind made the connection. This was the girl Ahren had killed—the one Tamyr had claimed was the mastermind behind the poisonings and both attacks at the banquets.
What was her name? Oh, yes, Ahni.
She stood next to the blazing fire, which made it even more difficult for him to see her transparent form. He waited for her to say something, but she remained silent, staring at him with a mixture of sorrow and hatred painted on her delicate features. He felt a stab of fear.
“Is there something I can do for you?”
“No. I just need to tell you what happened, and then I’ll be gone. I won’t cause you any more trouble.”
“All right.” Aibek gestured to the empty chair next to him. “Why don’t you have a seat?” The way she stared made him uncomfortable, and he shifted in his chair.
“I think I’d rather stand. Look, I’m only here because the elders think it will help me gain ‘closure,' not because I actually care what happens to you.”
He frowned at the sudden anger. “Um… I… think I understand. What do you need to tell me?”
“Everything Tamyr told you was true. I was Tavan’s lover.” She dropped her gaze to the floor before her feet. “I truly believed he cared for me—that he’d marry me. I found out I was carrying his child just a few days before your friends killed him. Then you arrived, and everyone acted like it was such a wonderful thing that he was dead. I was angry, scared, and alone. Tamyr listened to my rants without judging me, and eventually agreed to help me get my revenge.”
She shook her head and sighed.
“She’s such a gentle soul. I should’ve known better than to drag her into my plans. I felt terrible when she got caught with the knife, but I couldn’t come forward. My family wouldn’t have understood.”
Aibek blinked and tried to make sense of her words. So, she had been behind the attacks.
“And Ahren?”
She heaved another great sigh and kicked at imaginary dust on the highly polished floor. “Ahren is completely innocent. She had no idea about any of this. I… I think she just wanted some friends who opposed the new mayor as much as she did. She used to call you ‘the interloper.’” Ahni barked a humorless laugh. “I… she didn’t mean to kill me, you know. She was trying to stop me from killing you. Anyway, that’s all that I had to say. I need to go now. I have to talk to Tamyr.” She turned away, then vanished.
Alone once again, Aibek stood and stretched. He couldn't believe how sore he was; he’d never felt like this after a tournament. Maybe Noral had been right, after all, and he should have taken those bouts more seriously. For now, at least, there was nothing he could do with the information Ahni had given him. It was nice to know he could trust Ahren, though. Maybe once everything settled down, he’d try courting her.
More tired than he’d like to admit, he slowly lowered himself into the inviting heaps of blankets and pillows on his bed. A short nap wouldn’t hurt anything. He rolled onto his back, stretched once more, and slept through until morning.
* * *
The next day, as the workers were finishing their noon meal, the villagers who had evacuated to the city returned home amid cheers and hugs and a few tears. The town came alive with the shouts of children and the loud chatter of reunion. Tired and wet from their journey through knee-deep snow, they all went to their homes for a meal and a nap before the evening’s festivities.
Aibek stopped at the infirmary on his way home to talk to Faruz. He had dearly missed his friend and knew Faruz would want to know what was happening in the village. He paused outside the door and took a deep breath. Determined not to stay too long and wear out the patient, he pushed open the door and ducked inside.
Once his eyes adjusted to the sudden dimness, Aibek made his way to Faruz’s room. He scooted a chair next to Zifa, who was murmuring as Faruz ate something from a small bowl perched on his lap.
Faruz looked more cheerful now and had a little more color than he had that morning, and Aibek smiled as he eased into a chair. He was still sore. In fact, he was sorer today than he had been yesterday. His smile turned into a grimace as he dropped the last few inches to the seat.
Once he’d shifted to a more comfortable position, he turned to his injured friends. Faruz was watching him with a worried expression.
“You’re not hurt, too, are you?”
“No, I’m just sore from the fighting. I’m not used to quite so much activity. I’ll be fine in a day or so. You look a little better today.”
“Yeah, Valasa said some of the swelling’s going down. Hey, watch this. I can move my toes now!” He wiggled the toes on his left foot, then grinned. “Valasa said it was the swelling that kept them from moving yesterday.”
Aibek swallowed and forced a smile. The relief that swarmed him almost made it hard to breathe. Faruz would walk again. Valasa had been openly worried about the lack of movement below the injury, so this was a very good sign, indeed. Aibek laughed as Faruz wiggled his toes
again, a gleeful expression lighting his pale face.
“That’s fantastic!” Aibek cheered. “You’ll be dancing again in no time.”
“Not tonight, though. We’re celebrating here. Right, Zifa?”
Zifa’s smile stretched wider, and she nodded. Aibek looked from one to the other, and back again.
What do they have planned for tonight?
Whatever it was, they both seemed pretty excited.
“We won’t be doing anything too wild, but Zyana brought some wine back from Kainga, and Valasa said we could each have a glass or two. We’ll spend the evening together until we get tired, which probably won’t be very late.”
Faruz laughed again, but Aibek thought he detected a hint of fatigue in the sound, and some of the color had drained from his face.
“It sounds like you have a great evening planned.” Aibek rose with a grimace and smiled. “And I think it’s time for me to get ready for the celebration. I’ll see you both later.”
He strode out of Faruz’s room and went to check on Alija.
“Any change?” he asked the elderly man sitting with his friend.
The old man, Eder, shook his head, then sighed. “Not so much as a blink or a twitch, I’m afraid.”
“Well, keep up the good work.” Aibek clasped Eder’s skinny shoulder for a moment, then slipped quietly out of the room. It was time to get ready for the night’s celebration.
While he walked toward his home, Aibek smiled at the picture Faruz and Zifa had presented, leaning close together to plan their evening. He would suggest to the council that perhaps the army captain deserved a home of his own. He had no doubt the rest would agree, and thought it likely his best friend would be married before the end of summer.
He let himself in through the front door, then maneuvered through the throng of visitors socializing in the main rooms of the house. Aibek thought he would be glad to have his home to himself again, though he was extremely grateful for the travelers’ help yesterday and today. After he found his housekeeper and requested a hot bath, Aibek spent a long while enjoying the quiet solitude of his rooms. His thoughts were a tangle of elves, parties, and funerals, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to celebrate the victory or mourn those they had lost. He was also very concerned about Alija. The Gadonu wasn’t optimistic that the young man would survive his injuries.
Soon, however, the servants peeked in to tell him his bath was ready. He resolved to enjoy the evening and save the melancholy thoughts for tomorrow.
A short while later, as he walked toward the Pavilion in the midst of a large group of revelers, Aibek couldn’t stave off an odd stab of loneliness. Faruz and Serik should be walking with him, and Zifa and Alija should be meeting them at the party. The distance felt endless in the gathering darkness, though the walkway had been swept clean of snow. Aibek clasped his gloved hands and watched his breath puff before him, the mundane sensations occupying his rebellious mind.
When they reached the structure at the center of town, he was pleased to find that the fairies had somewhat limited the festive décor. He looked around and knew immediately that he was not the only one feeling the loss of their fallen warriors. Several men and women gathered near the back of the space, talking quietly among themselves. Their hunched postures and reddened faces betrayed their grief. Aibek made his way to them and offered condolences for their loss. He felt responsible for each one. He wondered how the great military generals in Xona dealt with these feelings after a battle. Surely there was some technique he hadn’t learned in school.
Within moments, however, he was pulled toward the center of the dance floor and tossed about among the partygoers. He couldn’t help but laugh along with them; their joy was infectious, and he gave himself gladly to the celebration. He danced with the warriors for three songs, then Dalan grabbed his arm and pulled him onto the dais at the front of the large space.
Alongside the buffet, a smaller table was set for the council members. Three chairs remained empty after everyone was seated, and Aibek again missed his best friend. Still, he smiled and let the joyous atmosphere seep into his soul like a balm. He listened happily to the cacophony. The music was nearly drowned out by the sounds of laughter and dishes clattering.
The fairies had lit lamps throughout the building, and a warm golden light illuminated the scene. The crush of feverishly dancing bodies helped to warm the space somewhat, though everyone wore winter furs and heavy layers, and puffs of breath were visible toward the outer fringes of the crowd.
The council members ate in silence, and Aibek considered excusing himself to dance among the villagers again. He hated being held separate from the warriors after they had fought side-by-side. When he had finally gathered his courage and was about to speak up, Valasa strode onto the platform and signaled for the music to stop. A sudden hush fell over the crowd as they waited to hear what the Gadonu had to say.
“Welcome!” The great man began in his resonant voice. “I won’t stop the celebration for long, but I want to take a moment to thank each one of you for all you have done in the past months, and especially during yesterday’s campaign. You all fought bravely, and I am proud to call you my friends.”
Aibek dropped his head into his hands and felt a sudden knot of tears in his throat at Valasa’s words as he remembered the struggle. The villagers had indeed displayed remarkable valor. Their fallen warriors would be missed, but would always be remembered as heroes.
“There will be a brief service at sunrise to lay our fallen comrades to rest,” he continued in a more serious tone. “Their loss has not been forgotten, even in tonight’s celebration. We will assemble at the south entrance at dawn to proceed to the lake, so we can conclude the service early enough for some of you to begin your journey home afterward.”
Aibek’s head snapped up. He hadn’t considered that their guests might leave so soon. The village would feel empty without their new friends.
“You will be missed here,” Valasa echoed Aibek’s thoughts, “but I know you are ready to return to your families. Please know that if you should at any time decide to free yourselves from your governors, Nivaka will gladly help you as you have helped us.”
Aibek stared at his plate and swallowed hard against the threatening tears. He had tried to enjoy this evening without dwelling on the ones they had lost.
“On a happier note, I want to give special recognition to our mayor, who bravely made some very difficult decisions in the heat of battle. The call to fire arrows into the fray was risky, but doubtless saved many lives.”
Aibek flushed a deep red at the unexpected compliment. He thought he had done what anyone would, given the circumstances.
“And finally, I want to ask each of you to send positive energy to our captain, Faruz, and Councilwoman Zifa who were badly injured yesterday. The captain will survive, though it will take some time for his wounds to heal completely. His bravery was commendable, as he continued to fight even after he could no longer stand. Zifa’s wounds are much less severe, and she should heal well as long as no fever sets in. Unfortunately, Councilman Alija’s injuries were much graver, and he passed on into the arms of our ancestors and the eternal protection of the Shadow trees just before this celebration.”
At this pronouncement, the tears which had been threatening to overwhelm Aibek finally overflowed and ran in rivers down his cheeks. Alija had sacrificed all he could to ensure the freedom of his people. He would be missed. Aibek choked back the tears and tried to bring his emotions under control as Valasa continued his speech.
“Thank you all for everything you have done this autumn. You can each be extremely proud of yourselves, your families, and friends.” When he had finished his speech, Valasa waved for Aibek to say something, then walked briskly off the stage and out of the Pavilion.
Aibek fought for composure as he pushed himself to his feet.
“Thank you for your kind words, Valasa.” He glanced at the spot where his friend had disappeared into the darkness,
then turned his attention to the silent crowd.
“You fought well. I’m proud to have served alongside such a determined and fierce group of friends and neighbors. For those who will leave us soon, please know we are grateful and that you are welcome here at any time. Be assured we will help you in times of need as you have helped us. Nor will we forget those we lost. Their bravery and selflessness will live on in our hearts and minds forever as an undeniable part of our history.” He considered the faces of the assembled warriors and villagers, trying to meet every gaze at once.
“You all know I’m new to this, but I’ll do my best to be a fair and just mayor. In the coming days, the council members and I will work to establish a new, peaceful norm for this lovely village, and I look forward to returning my friends to their previous prosperity. We will soon resume actively marketing our goods, and you will have the opportunity to sell your wares as Nivakans have for generations. Together, let us look forward to a future of peace and prosperity.” He gave a small bow.
The crowd erupted in a roar of applause, and Aibek took his seat once again. He wished Alija could be here to see the result of his revolution, and tears swam in his eyes once more.
Soon, the villagers swarmed around the table where he sat. Only after several minutes was he was able to lift his eyes and look around him. He was relieved to notice the wet cheeks of the other council members, and tears shining in the eyes of many villagers. They clapped him on the shoulders and back, each congratulating him for taking the lead when it looked as if they couldn’t possibly win.
He endured this for what felt like hours, then scraped his chair back and stood abruptly. “This is foolish. I didn’t win that battle—we all did. Let’s dance!” He strode to the center of the dance floor.
Even though his aching body was screaming in pain, he danced with every ounce of energy he possessed. He remained at the center of the space for several songs, then squeezed through the revelers toward the edge of the Pavilion.
The Nivaka Chronicles Boxed Set Page 30