The Traitor of Tyiku
Edeline Wrigh
Prologue
Kahiya sat in the garden of the Divine Realm, drinking nectar and waiting for Deoth to appear for his conference with her. She didn’t have high hopes.
Flowers like bluebells diffused their calming fragrance into the air. Kahiya only needed their help when dealing with the god of chaos. Beyond the bluebells lied the lilies, beyond the lilies lied their koi pond, and there, among what Kahiya knew to be the star fruit garden, stood a man in black robes with a sinister smile.
“You came,” she said, softly, measured. “I expected you to send a crow.”
His smile widened. “I’m glad to be of surprise. But alas, I did bring a few crows.” He opened slender fingers to release a creature of clicking cogs and grinding gears that flew to perch on Kahiya’s shoulder. She shuddered at metal claws that pierced through her gown.
“You know I hate them.”
“I can’t be of too much convenience, you know.”
Kahiya sighed and tried to get the crow off her without touching it. “I’ve heard you’ve put plans in motion to interfere in my realm. Do I need to remind you that Tyiku is protected under The Treaty made in front of The Great God himself?”
He snickered. “The Great God could stand to be knocked down a few pegs.”
“Your feelings on him aside, he will not allow you to destroy the course I have in place in my realm. And neither will I.”
He leaned in close, set a second crow on her other shoulder, and smiled. “What, are you going to fight me? That’s so very atypical of a goddess of life.”
“If I must, I will protect my realm.” She stood and paced. “I have spent far too many centuries watching over those who inhabit Tyiku to watch you destroy it all.” She glared at him and felt the crows’ claws pierce her skin. “Contrary to what you believe, Deoth, you are not more powerful than me, and you cannot thwart me.”
“You know, Kahiya, every moment you spend reprimanding me is another moment your realm is changing according to my plan.”
“Withdraw from Tyiku, Deoth. Please. I don’t want to have to fight you.”
“Ah, but Kahiya—that’s what makes this so much fun.”
She sighed. “So it’ll be a war once again. Or, perhaps, an execution.” She looked at him meaningfully. “Tell me, brother, why have you chosen to attack me?”
“Oh,” he said, walking off and clicking at his crows to follow him. “Don’t take it so personally. You’re just the first.”
Chapter 1
Jaklyn Klain led an abnormal life for a slums girl. Every morning, she rose before the sun to prepare her father’s drink and ensure the house was spotless before departing to school, the one luxury life afforded to her.
This morning had been no different. She’d gotten up, done her morning rituals, and was on her way to class before the land had been lit up. The merchants were just setting up their carts with goods as she passed, the shops just checking the shelves and putting everything in order. Only lower and middle class pedestrians were out this early; no horses clomp-clomped through the streets, and none were flying at this hour. She could hear other creatures moving above her, however, creatures with calls that sent chills down her spine and caused her to pull her overlarge sweater tighter around her arms.
She walked into the classroom ten minutes early and took her customary seat in the back row. She waited as her classmates took their usual seats ahead of her. A few of the more outgoing ones made conversation with one another, but the majority stared ahead and waited for the teacher. Little more than a desire to escape the hardships of poverty and its consequences united them.
The teacher entered right on time, and the minute noises ceased. His clothing alone could have guaranteed the class’s absolute attention—he wore fitted clothing in good repair and even had a ruby on one earlobe—but his manner commanded everyone to order instead.
He began by passing back the math assignments from the day prior. Everyone took a moment to look at what they had missed and to groan or applaud themselves for their work. Jak glanced at hers just long enough to register that she had missed two out of nine.
Class proceeded as usual. The instructor gave everyone a few minutes of silence and help as they started on their new math assignments, then moved through the history of their country, Tyiku, and its neighboring country, Sralossa.
“The former Tyikian leaders had been on good terms with Sralossa,” he’d explained, “but the new ones had done something that was unprecedented and led to a rivalry between the countries. Does anyone know what they did?”
A few of the students raised their hands. Everyone else glanced at them curiously. The teacher gestured to a curly-haired boy in the second row.
“Yes?”
“The Tyikian leaders made a treaty with the faeries, causing them to leave Sralossa.”
“Which was significant because?”
“Um... The faeries control the weather around their home to make it ideal for themselves. When some of them were in Sralossa, they warmed it and the land became fertile, but when they left, the land reverted to the cold weather it had been at before, which destroyed the Sralossan economy and allowed many to go hungry.”
“Fantastic.”
A girl with wavy brown hair raised her hand tentatively. He nodded to her.
“Tyiku didn’t really get on Sralossa’s bad side until they refused to trade after all of this, though, right?”
“That’s right,” the teacher agreed, “Sralossa wasn’t pleased with the loss of the faeries, but they didn’t blame us until we refused to help them out. Why wouldn’t we help them out?”
No one knew.
“We wouldn’t help them out because shortly before the entire thing, the Empress Casadine was dying of a rare disease and needed an even rarer flower to be cured. At the time the palace had kept an extensive garden and owned the only human-reared specimens of this flower, but they wouldn’t give us any when we asked for it... It had many properties, and was very valuable, so they thought we were lying to breed it ourselves.”
Some students shook their heads. Others whispered to one another. Most simply looked contemplative.
The girl rose her hand again, but spoke before the teacher called on her at a slow pace. “So is that the reason the war between us started? Is that the reason we won’t stop fighting them?”
“It’s the reason the crown gives us. What the full reason is, I’m afraid, is a secret that only a mind-reader could ever hope to know.”
Jaklyn shoved her stuff into her bag like she did every day at the end of school. She had learned quite some time ago that it was better if she avoided interactions with other students; though these lessons were reserved for those who had not made it into the noble class, she was still among the poorest there, and many of the others were afraid that associating with her would damage their already despondent social status. She kept her head down as she hurried from the room.
It was a delightful day, full of warmth and sunshine. Nonetheless, she pulled her large top down as she walked past the blonde-haired guard that kept post near the shopping district. Normally he pretended to wave at her while she avoided eye contact. Today, he stepped into her path so she nearly walked into him. Only his arm, framed with muscles, and her magic’s warning stopped her in her tracks. She tilted her head slightly upwards and ended up staring into his eyes.
“Hello, beautiful. How did you find yourself all alone on a day like this?”
He’s dangerous, her magic told her.
“I’m just running some errands.”
“In a shirt like that? It’s so warm, why don’t you take it off?” A corner of his lips curled upward. “Unless
you’d like help?”
“No, really, I’m fine, thank you.”
“I’ll pay you.” He winked. “Just a few hours. I could make you a very wealthy girl, gorgeous.”
She tried to walk around him. His hand sprang out and grabbed her arm. Fingers encircled her wrist, and she fought uselessly. He smiled once more, frustration playing through his expression. She met his eyes again, and she looked away, trying to escape. No matter how much she struggled, her underweight frame was no match for the soldier.
He forced her body around and she felt her back slam against the bricks of the alley wall. She hit the flesh of his face and gouged her nails into it as hard as she could, and though she felt blood on her fingers, it wasn’t enough. He grabbed her arm and held it, pinning it above her head with his other hand. He whispered into her ear with warm, intoxicated breath and said, “You’re mine.” In that moment, she knew he was right. She would not escape.
She tried to scream, but his body pressed into her harder and his mouth hit hers, silencing her. He slid his hand under her shirt and across her body, snickering at her as she struggled against him. One final cry for help escaped her lips before she succumbed to sobbing.
Something blocked off the light from the end of the alley. She couldn’t see what it was; all she heard was a voice inquire “Cadmus?” before something hit her head, and she blacked out.
She knew something was different the moment she woke up. She was much too comfortable to be at home; the large surface she was on was too soft to be her bed. It took her a moment to open her eyes. She was tired and moving her eyelids required more energy than she had.
Once she sat up, she took in the room. It was furnished well and expensively. A family crest with the image of a bird of prey hung on the wall while an ornate wardrobe declared a corner its domain.
Then she noticed the covers on the bed. They were made of silk. This was the house of a noble. She stepped off the bed before she realized her body was too weak to keep itself upright.
Again, a voice spoke. The man in the doorway walked to her and offered a hand. She trembled to her feet.
"Beds are better places for rest than the ground. How is your head?"
It was throbbing. "It's fine."
"It is?"
"Yes. Thank you, sir."
He held out a hand. "Alikos Phoenix. Yourself?"
She paused. After she managed to inhale, she attempted a curtsy, and he had to stop her from falling. Phoenix had been a noble family for centuries. "Jak Klain."
"Jak? What is your birth name?"
"Jaklyn," she whispered, "but no one calls me that anymore."
"Nice to meet you, Jaklyn," he said, oblivious to the gravity of her full name.
"It's a pleasure. Please call me Jak, though."
"You don't like your name?"
It was more complicated than that. "People just call me Jak."
He raised an eyebrow. "Alright, Jak."
"Anyway, um..."
"Yes?"
"Thank you for everything, sir, but I should head home. My father is expecting me." She took a step toward the door and stumbled.
"I'll send a messenger to him. Please lay down. What is the address?"
He made no remarks as she gave the address to him. He drew a piece of parchment from his pocket, inked the information onto its surface, and composed a letter while attempting to continue a conversation with her. With the shock of recent events combined with her shy nature, she had little to say.
Finally, he rolled up the parchment and blew a small whistle.
A red bird strutted into the room. Its tail feathers were reminiscent of a peacock's, blues and greens replaced by vivid red and gold hues. Alikos cooed at the animal and gave a few strokes on its head before tying the note and opening a window for the bird to fly out of.
"Longstanding family joke," he smiled. "They thought it would be hilarious to keep a domesticated phoenix and make up even more mythologies for our name."
She smiled. Folklore of the old families was the immortal gossip of the ancestors.
"So, are you hungry? You've been out for some time now."
"Not really. I had breakfast."
A moment passed. "I'll bring you food soon. Sleep, alright?"
"Alright. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
She shut her eyes and heard the door shut.
Then, for the second time in her life, she slept on a bed of the wealthy.
She wasn't hungry when he brought her food. Out of politeness, she poked at it anyway but only managed about half of the plate before giving up.
"Is something wrong with the food?" Alikos looked confused.
"No, I'm just not hungry. Like I said, I had breakfast."
"You haven't eaten since breakfast?"
"Nope."
"How often do you eat?"
"Once or twice a day."
"But you're not hungry?"
"I'm used to it." She took another bite. "Thanks, though. The food is wonderful."
Minutes passed in silence.
She finished. "So now what?"
"Now, we wait," he said.
"Has my father replied to your message yet?"
"Not yet." Her magic argued with him. It was more reliable than anything anyone ever told her. He was lying.
"Oh. Maybe I should go tell him."
"He'll get back to us eventually."
"Maybe. But I should go." She walked toward the door, but his hand lightly grasped her arm. Her mind flashed to the alley. She trembled and nearly fell to her knees.
"I'm sorry, but could you please stay awhile longer?"
She said nothing, just looked into his eyes and tried to understand his intentions. Her magic made no comment; it said nothing about ill wishes. Her lips motioned the why rather than speaking them.
He sighed. "Minndi asked me to keep you here."
Again, she searched for a lie. Minndi was the newest empress, and the rumors that surrounded her, while interesting, were not comforting. Jak wasn't sure whether she hoped that he was being honest.
"The empress?"
He nodded.
She looked at him, trying to ask him the next question with her eyes. He gave no answer.
"Oh... alright." She bit her lip in a vain motion to dispel the awkwardness that seemed to plague the air. "Do you know why?"
"No," he said, and neither his eyes nor her magic hinted at a lie. "She might come to talk to you about the incident and to ask whether you're planning to take Cadmus to court. She might try to talk you out of it."
"Well... I mean... I won't take him to court. But sure, the empress says to stay, so..."
"You won't take him to court?"
"Of course not."
"Why not?" This bit of information bothered him in a way that was almost unsettling.
"Um... I wouldn't win."
"What?"
"I would end up in jail. I'd take him to court, and because of status the empress will side with her guard against me. I'm sure you've seen that happen before, haven't you?"
"I guess," he thought, "but never in a case where the noble's crimes were so clear. Even so, there's talk that Minndi is different from the past rulers. Talk that she has a different outlook on a lot of things. It'll be interesting to see how her appointee handled this case, especially if there's a soldier on your side as well."
"I'm not asking you to do that, but thank you."
"But you won't pursue the case yourself?"
"No."
"May I?"
"I suppose? It’s not a big deal."
"It is. It's a very big deal."
"If you say so."
"I can pursue the case?"
"Sure."
He smiled. "Excellent."
"I can't pay fines if we lose," she made a point of saying.
"That's okay. I will if we need to."
"My testimony won't matter much, either."
"You might be surprised."
&n
bsp; "The throne doesn't care what the lower class has to say. We're nothing to them but labor. Easily replaceable."
"My testimony should help. I am a noble. And like I said, you might be surprised."
She smiled to hide her apprehension, but it didn't fool him.
"Don't worry. I will not let your life become worse by this.
A knock on the door prevented Jak from replying. The person on the other side seemed to get more impatient with each passing second. Alikos left his place at the table to answer it. Though he was a noble, Jak had seen no servants in his house. She was unsure how she would have handled the situation had there been one.
The man standing in the doorway was hard to see from her position, but it looked as though he tried to force his way in before Alikos stopped his rapid entrance, a calm but forceful show of his strength. He turned away from the door, bidding the man to follow him into a side room out of Jak's view.
A glimpse was all it took to recognize the man. Jak watched her father stomp after the guard, throwing her a threatening look, his eyes of their usual fever. In his hand, he held the piece of parchment Alikos sent him.
She heard the men's voices, one a calm and even tone, the other a disgruntled one. They escalated in volume until murmurs transformed into defined words.
"No, absolutely not."
"She is my daughter. I am damn well taking her if I want to."
"It's against orders, sir."
"Screw that. She's coming with me."
"I can't allow that."
"Are you going to stop me?"
"If I must. It will be easier if I don't need to, however."
"I'm sure it would be. But hell, you can't tell me that teenager on the throne is more threatening than me."
"Not physically, maybe."
"Thought so. I'm taking Jak. JAK!" he beckoned with a yell. Jak rose and walked to the other room. Years of living under her father had trained her to do as he instructed but to ignore the insults that sprang from his mouth.
Alikos stood straight, his shoulders back but relaxed, his head parallel to the floor. His eyes assessed the situation with an alertness Jak hadn't seen in what seemed like months. He watched as she approached her father without the wariness he felt should have accompanied the situation. It was too common to be a huge trial for her any longer.
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