The Nivaka Chronicles Boxed Set

by Leslie E Heath

  “Not well,” Wayra said, laughing along. He sobered. “But what if you brought the mayors–– even just a few of them––to the stream in the forest where you met the dragon before? They could swoop in and prove your veracity once and for all.”

  “That’s actually not a bad idea.” Aibek nodded. “I’ll see if the forest can hear me from here, and if she’ll agree to help. I may have to take the ferry across the river tomorrow if I can’t reach her here.”

  “I’ll go with you if you have to go closer. I don’t think any of us should travel alone right now.”

  Aibek thought back to the men who had attacked him and Faruz on their last trip back to the forest. “You’re probably right. I’ll try to contact the forest tonight, and again in the morning. She’s still pretty weak, but I think she’s healing. I’ll let you know what I figure out.”

  Wayra backed out of the room, and Aibek moved from the chair to the bed. The food and drink had eased his headache a bit, but it still throbbed incessantly.

  “Madam forest, can you hear me?” He said the words aloud and hoped no one was listening at his door.

  In the forest, or even on the plain beside the forest, she could hear the faintest whisper, but he didn’t know how the buildings would affect her.

  Silence roared in his ears. Closing his eyes, he stretched his awareness. The voices in the hall came into focus and faded into background noise as he listened further and further out. Nothing. The vastness of the sky and fields struck him, and Aibek eased himself out of bed.

  Careful not to jar his aching head too much, he crossed to the window and eased it open. He stuck his head out, breathed the crisp autumn air, and checked to make sure no one was close enough to hear him.

  When he was sure he was alone, he spoke into the night. “Madam forest?”

  Aibek focused on his breathing and listened to the sounds of the river city at night. Sails slapped gently against their masts. Waves lapped at boat hulls and pilings. Far off, a woman laughed.

  “I hear you, child. Are you in trouble?” The voice carried on the breeze and Aibek’s hair stood on end.

  “Not exactly.” Voices echoed in the courtyard, and Aibek dropped his voice. “I do need your help, though. The mayors don’t believe that I’ve met you. They won’t help me because they think I’m lying.”

  The wind sighed, a gusty, breathy sound that ruffled Aibek’s hair. “That is a problem, indeed, but I don’t see how I can help.”

  “Well, I…” A couple strolled around the corner below, and Aibek waited until they had passed out of sight. “I had thought you might have the dragons meet me by the stream tomorrow, so I can introduce them to some of the mayors. That would prove that I’ve talked with you and that you’ve agreed to help us.”

  A gust of wind caught the curtains and wrapped them around Aibek’s head. He chuckled and untangled himself, unsure whether or not that had been the Bokinna’s doing.

  “Very well,” she whispered after a long pause. “I have asked Gworsad and he has agreed to meet your mayors. You will tell me when you are near. I am still quite weak and must rest now.”

  The night fell still and the bereft loneliness he’d felt before engulfed him once more. Aibek stepped back and closed the window. Smiling, he crawled back into bed and slept until morning.

  * * *

  A knock at the outer door brought Eddrick to his feet. He had been agonizing over how to help Aibek win over the assembled mayors, but he welcomed the interruption. When no one entered, he strode to the door and yanked it open, fully expecting to see his father, Agommi, on the other side. Instead, the empty stoop left him baffled. Something fluttered against the door, and Eddrick grabbed the note stuck to the wood.

  We have reached a decision in your case. Your presence is required in the Court of the Ancients in three days’ time. Do not be late again.

  It was unsigned but bore the Ancients’ seal at the top of the page.

  “Who’s out there?” Kiri shouted from the sitting room.

  Eddrick ran back inside and thrust the paper into his wife’s surprised hands. She scanned the note, her eyes going wide.

  “Well, I guess we’re heading back to Hiraeth sooner than we’d expected,” Kiri said, resignation in her voice.

  Eddrick nodded. “We should go.” He grabbed her hand and closed his eyes.

  The dizzy whirling sensations enveloped him, and when he opened his eyes, he stood on the grassy hill outside the city of the dead. The wind whipped at Kiri’s dress and she stared down at the line of travelers waiting to enter the city.

  "I feel like we just got away from this place." Kiri drew her arms close around herself.

  "I know," Eddrick said. "but if they’ve come to a decision, we need to know what it is."

  They waited in line for what felt like half the day before they made it through the demon’s unnerving gaze and into the city itself. Now that they knew how to navigate through the camouflaged streets, they made their way quickly to the hall where the hearing would be held.

  At the end of the long corridor inside the ancient building, they met the translucent spirits at the desk once more. The clerk assigned them a room and led them to the space where they would wait until their hearing.

  "Now what," Kiri said, flopping onto the bed without ruffling the plush gold bedspread.

  "Now we wait," Eddrick said. He paced to the window and stood staring out at the sun setting over the city.

  The next morning, Agommi drifted through the door.

  “I heard you’d been summoned back,” Agommi said, sitting at the narrow table by the fireplace. “I’m surprised you beat me here this time.”

  “Well, we didn’t want to take any chances.” Kiri wrapped her father-in-law in a hug before seating herself beside him.

  “How’s Aibek handling himself?” Agommi asked, gesturing for Eddrick to join them at the table.

  Kiri leaned forward. “He’s…” She cleared her throat and tried again. “He’s struggling, I think. He doesn’t understand the taboos of the forest religion, and he’s just moving forward as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened.”

  “Well, I’m sure he’ll figure it all out,” Agommi said.

  Irritated with the small talk, Eddrick shook his head. “What do you think they decided? Do you think they’ll let us check in on Helak and his cronies again?”

  “I don’t know. We’ll have to wait for the hearing,” Agommi answered.

  4

  Dragons

  After a hasty breakfast alone in his room, Aibek strode across the road and opened the meeting room door with trembling hands. This was his last chance to win over the mayors and ensure Nivaka wouldn’t have to face Helak’s armies alone.

  He slipped into the packed room and frowned. Every member of the Grand Council stared back at him. “Am I late?”

  “Nah, we all got here early,” Vayna said, grinning. He hitched a thumb toward the men and women seated behind him. “They all thought you’d give up and leave after yesterday’s meeting, but I knew better, so I made sure I was here to win the bet. Pay up Bartel. Iriz?”

  “What? Now?” Bartel’s fair skin flushed crimson.

  Iriz sputtered and fidgeted. “I would never!”

  “All right, since we’re all here, let’s get started,” Aibek said, shaking off his stunned reaction and stepping into the center of the room. “I realize that what I said yesterday shocked some of you—all of you,” he corrected when Vayna rolled his eyes. “But, in all honesty, I spoke the truth.” Murmurs rose in the room and Aibek raised his voice to make sure they all heard. “I can prove it.”

  The room grew quiet.

  “I can prove it,” Aibek repeated, softer. “Come with me to the forest. The Bokinna’s protectors have agreed to meet us at the stream to verify that I’ve met her and that she’s willing to help us. I’ll even pay the crossing fare for anyone who’s willing to give me one more chance.”

  Silence stretched. Mayors glanced nervo
usly around the room, but none met Aibek’s worried gaze. Aibek’s heart pounded in his ears and sweat beaded on his upper lip. His mind spun frantically. What would he do if no one agreed to go? The dragons were his only real option to prove he’d been to the Heart of the Forest.

  Vayna stood. “I’ll go. I want to see what you’ve got up your sleeve.”

  Dizzy relief flooded Aibek, and he braced himself on the back of a chair to keep from falling.

  “I’ll go, too.” Marah stood and stepped up beside Vayna.

  Six others volunteered, one at a time.

  When no one else spoke, Aibek asked, “Anyone else?” A few people shook their heads, while others kept their eyes glued to the floor. “All right, then. Can we meet again this afternoon to discuss our trip and get back to talking about Helak’s army?”

  “You’re awfully confident, Mayor,” Kaskin spat. “What makes you think anyone will want to hear more from you after your blasphemy and lies?”

  “I have no doubt that the ones who travel with me to the forest will vouch for me after our trip. It’s early yet, but we’ll adjourn for the day and meet again tomorrow morning. If I’m lying, you’ll all hear about it at supper, all right?”

  Three people nodded, and Aibek decided that was all the answer he would get. “Okay, well, let’s go. I think it’s early enough that we can still catch the first ferry.”

  He hurried through the door without checking to see if anyone followed.

  “Hey! Wait up! There’s no need to run,” Vayna trotted up beside him.

  Aibek slowed his pace so the mayors rushing in his wake could catch him. “Sorry.”

  Vayna laughed. “I would have run for it if I were you. They’re a tough crowd.”

  “You could say that again,” Aibek said, laughing along. Remembering Kaskin’s angry outburst, he shook his head. “Thank you for saving me back there.”

  “What else could I do? Like I said, I’m dying to see what you’ve got up your sleeve.” Vayna grabbed Aibek’s arm and dragged him the last few steps to the ticket booth. “We need nine tickets for that boat,” he said to the woman in the shack.

  The ferry ride passed in silence as Aibek worried that even the dragons wouldn’t be enough to convince the rest of the mayors. What would he do if they wouldn’t believe him after this? The others chatted nearby, but he couldn’t bring himself to join in.

  He waited until they’d left the ferry and found the road to the forest before he whispered, “We’re almost there. Please be there.”

  Anticipation clutched at his stomach, but he shoved the feeling aside and tried to join the easy banter the others shared.

  “I’ve found that each village has its own unique feel, its own quirks, you know?” Bartel said. “Like Nivaka has all those crazy carvings everywhere, and Bekuz has different colored roofs for people with different occupations: red for the healers, orange for the carpenters, green for hunters, and so on. What about your villages? What are their quirks?” He smiled at Marah, and Aibek’s gut twisted again.

  Marah grinned back at the handsome mayor. “I don’t know.” Her voice took on a wistful tone. “I guess the paintings. Instead of stone or wood mosaics like I’ve seen in Nivaka and a few other villages, we paint murals on the outside of our homes. My father’s house has a painting of dragonflies circling above a waterfall. It’s so peaceful and welcoming.”

  A look of sadness crossed her delicate features, and Aibek fought the urge to put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

  He tore his eyes away from her lovely features. The tree-line growing on the horizon had grown much closer than he’d expected. His heart hammered against his ribs as he slowed his steps, allowing the others to outpace him.

  When he was certain his companions couldn’t hear, he whispered, “We’ll be in the forest in a few minutes. Are the dragons close?”

  He kept his eyes open so he wouldn’t trip but focused all his energy on listening to the wind, the trees, and the life around him. A few heartbeats later, the Bokinna replied, “They’ll be there, but they’ll circle above until the mayors are at the stream. Gworsad worried the dragons waiting would make the others run away, and they could accuse you of leading them into a trap. Have you told them who awaits them?”

  Hot shame flushed his cheeks, though Aibek wasn’t sure why. “No, I haven’t told them. I didn’t know how. You’re very wise to wait until they’re already there to have the dragons land. I hadn’t considered that angle.”

  “I must rest now. They are already above the stream.”

  The light breeze died, and Aibek fought the sense of loneliness.

  “What are you doing?”

  Aibek jumped at the sound of Marah’s voice so close beside him. Had she heard him whispering? “N… Nothing,” he stammered. “Just making sure I’m ready.”

  “Ready for what?” She placed a hand on his arm, and he lost himself in her amber gaze. “What are you leading us into?”

  “Nothing dangerous,” he said. The words sounded rushed to his own ears. “The forest’s protectors will meet us at the stream.”

  At her uncertain expression, he added, “If we were facing anything dangerous, don’t you think I would’ve brought my sword?” He gestured to his unadorned waist and she laughed.

  “Good point.”

  They stepped into the dim coolness of the forest and Aibek’s apprehension returned, multiplied by the Bokinna’s words.

  What if they think it’s a trap? He fretted. What ifs won’t help you. You have to deal with what is.

  His uncle’s lesson rang in his ears, as clearly as if the man were standing beside him. Aibek dragged in a deep breath, exhaled, and sniffed the air. The musty, sickly odor that had permeated the forest for months had faded in the days he’d been in the city.

  He distracted himself from his worries by focusing on the signs of improvement in the forest. The trees had lost their grayish cast, and the green slime had receded. Some trees didn’t have any slime patches at all.

  A smile stretched across Aibek’s face and he tipped his head back to look up into the treetops. No leaves adorned the trees, but that was expected in the late autumn. Patches of blue sky shone between tangles of high branches.

  Nearby, water burbled over the rocky stream bed. The sound brought Aibek’s mind back to the present task, and he hurried to catch up with the others.

  “Before they arrive, I need everyone to sit down and make sure you’re calm.” Aibek’s voice echoed through the quiet forest. “They’re afraid you won’t want to meet them.”

  “Who?” Bartel spread his cloak on the ground and settled onto it. “Who’s coming? And why would they think we wouldn’t want to meet them?

  “You’ll find out soon enough. Is everyone ready?” Aibek forced a smile to hide his nervousness and checked that the mayors were settled. Everyone had seated themselves against the trees, forming a circle around the open area the stream bisected.

  “We’re ready,” Marah said. “Where is the proof you promised us?”

  “All right, then. We’re all ready.” Aibek’s stomach fluttered, but he fought the urge to look up.

  A great rumbling shook the treetops, followed by a strong gust of wind. Gworsad swooped down into the clearing and lighted upon the rocky soil beside the stream.

  Marah gasped, and Aibek worried that the mayors weren’t taking the surprise very well.

  “You’ve brought us here to feed us to dragons?” Bartel shouted.

  Aibek laughed and approached the enormous beast. “Of course not.”

  Before he could say more, Tukanli dropped out of the sky and rested beside Gworsad, her thorny collar crackling with the movement.

  “Everyone, I’d like you to meet the Bokinna’s protectors. This is Gworsad.” The beast rumbled and ducked his head in an awkward bow. “And this is Tukanli.”

  “Hello,” Tukanli said, her voice soft. “I hope you not… what is word?” She looked to Gworsad with a frustrated expression in her deep
green eyes.

  “I… I mean we… hope you not scared,” Gworsad rumbled.

  Tukanli made a soft clicking sound. “Yes, of course, that is it.”

  Aibek smiled, and this time, it was genuine. “You’ve been practicing. Very well done.”

  More rumbling echoed through the clearing, the sound reminiscent of a cat’s purr, only deeper and louder.

  Another gust of wind rustled the dried leaves on the ground, and Aibek tipped his head back. Four more dragons circled above.

  He lowered his eyes and met the stunned gazes of the other mayors. “Are you all right if the others land? Or would that be too much for you? I’ll send them home if they’ll make you nervous, but we shouldn’t leave them up there all morning.”

  A shrill, honking laugh pierced the wind. “Bring them down, I’d love to meet them all.” Iriz laughed again and met Aibek’s eyes. “You really did meet her, didn’t you?”

  “I did.” Aibek sighed and the worry and stress lifted off his back like a garment. “My friend found the medicine that could cure the forest’s illness, and we took it to her together. She’s offered to help us fight Helak in a couple of different ways. First, these fine friends will help by carrying us to and from the battle and allowing us to fight from their backs.”

  “What? You mean we can fly? On a dragon?” Bartel’s face had gone pale, and his eyes widened further than Aibek thought possible.

  “Yes, but you don’t have to if they make you nervous. You have to relax and give the dragon the freedom to fly.”

  “Who wouldn’t want to fly?” Marah said, her voice higher-pitched than normal. “This is incredible!”

  “So, does that mean the others can land?” Aibek shaded his eyes, and a large green dragon folded its wings and dropped out of the sky.

  “Oh!” Marah breathed. “How lovely.”

  Three more dragons landed in the clearing, one right after the other, and soon the wide space felt small and cramped.

  When the wind had died down, Bartel cocked his head. “No offense intended, Aibek, but is there any way we can hear from one of the dragons what they expect of us? And… and could they maybe… I’m sorry, there’s no way to say this without sounding awful.” He drew a breath and tried again. “Could one of them confirm what you’ve said? That you met the Bokinna? That they’re her protectors?” He coughed once and dropped his eyes to the leaf-covered ground. “That they won’t eat us if we try to ride them?”