Sea God of the Sands: Book One of the Firebird’s Daughter Series (Firebird's Daughter 1)

by Kyrja

  “Good people!” Savaar’s voice was much louder than any normal-sized man’s would be. “I am Savaar, a true son of your Goddess, Amphedia. I have come to introduce you to her heir.”

  Jarles heard a small group of people start chanting Savaar’s name, pleased that part of their plan had worked so successfully. There were already some in the city ready to accept Savaar as Amphedia’s heir. He relaxed a little then, feeling more confident. If a few could be persuaded, perhaps the rest would follow willingly too.

  “No, the name of your savior is Jarles,” Savaar said with a smile, sweeping his hand in Jarles’ direction. “He is Amphedia’s heir, and is worthy of the title.” With that, he knelt again, in front of Jarles, bowing his head.

  For his part, Jarles was shocked. “That isn’t the way it was supposed to happen,” he told Savaar through the gritted teeth of his smile. He waved as the people gathered in the street started applauding and chanting his name.

  “I can’t be Amphedia’s heir, Jarles, she will kill me sooner or later, and the people need someone to be here. To be their savior. I’ll help, but you have to do the work. Now let them see what you really look like.”

  Jarles sighed, transforming back into his human form, even as Savaar did the same. The volume of applause and chanting increased dramatically and Jarles could see people starting to draw closer. He was absolutely certain he wasn’t ready for this, but there was nothing he could do to stop it now. Well, he thought to himself, at least maybe now Amphedia would stop suddenly dropping him into various bodies of water. Maybe.

  “Jarles! Come quickly,” Eruitt suddenly appeared at his side. “He’s asking for you.”

  “What? Who’s asking for me?” But Eruitt was already leading him to where Sabbah had fallen. He gasped out loud as soon as he saw the man’s face. “Grandpa Kerr! What are you doing here?”

  “The … Tear … “ he said, panting and wheezing, trying to sit up.

  “Lay still, Grandpa. Savaar! What do I do?”

  “Use … the Tear …” he gasped again. “She’s coming.”

  “Stop trying to talk!” Jarles told him sharply. “Just rest until you can get your strength back.”

  “Do as he says,” Savaar’s voice cut through the turmoil. “He’s right, Amphedia is coming. Use the Tear to kill him now, before she gets here.”

  “The Tear? No! I won’t kill my own grandfather!” Jarles was stunned.

  “If you don’t, she will, and she’ll bring him back to life over and over again. He’s asking for it! Do it!” he said, tersely.

  “But …!” Jarles tried to protest, his heart conflicted.

  “Where is it?” Savaar asked, his voice insistent and frantic. “Who has it?” he asked again, turning his head left and right. “Batal had it last. Where is she?”

  “I won’t do it!” Jarles insisted. “I just can’t.”

  “Lord Savaar…”

  Savaar’s head snapped around at the sound of Batal’s voice. But he didn’t recognize the face of the … woman? … who had called to him. With obvious reluctance, he asked, “Batal?”

  When she closed her eyes, nodding her head, he went to her side, embracing her. “You used the Tear,” he said, looking at the scales, fins, and the gills beginning to form in her neck.

  “To save the people,” she replied, her voice a whisper. Soon, he knew, she wouldn’t be able to talk at all because of the changes in her body. She would need to get to the sea right away.

  “Wait!” Jarles told him. He felt himself drawn to the woman, even though he was loathe to leave his grandfather’s side. Glancing at Ishra, who had been kneeling next to him, he made sure the other man knew he was counting on him to stay put. Ishra nodded his assurance.

  Putting one hand on the woman’s chest and the other on her back, Jarles thought it was the strangest thing he’d ever felt. He could feel the changes in her body, even though he’d never met her. But there was more. There was some kind of magic here. He didn’t know how he knew, but he knew it just the same. He could feel it in both the woman and … in one of the people standing near her. That one. “What have you done to her?” he demanded.

  “I … I’m not sure,” Kaya replied.

  “Kaya?” Savaar looked at him.

  “I don’t know,” Kaya insisted. “I only knew that I had to try.”

  “You saved her life,” Jarles told him with absolute certainty.

  “She wouldn’t have lived long enough to get to water. She needs water to breathe now. I’ll take her,” Savaar told them, standing apart from the rest of them so he could make himself large again. He would be able to get there more quickly with longer legs.

  “Wait.” Jarles said quietly. “Just wait.”

  “There isn’t time.” Savaar countered.

  “Yes. There is. Watch.” Jarles passed his hand over Batal’s face, then down her chest and paused at the space just above her hip bones. As he concentrated, he could feel the shifting. There was an energy center here, in her body and he could change it. He could … return her to … her human self. One day, he knew, he might tire of being able to do things he didn’t understand, but at least for today, he could make a difference in one woman’s life, even if he didn’t know what he was doing. He knew it was working without opening his eyes, and without the collective gasp of those gathered around the two of them.

  “Very good Jarles!” he heard the voice and knew immediately Amphedia had arrived.

  Chapter Thirty-Four – The Heir

  The woman standing in the street didn’t really look like the Amphedia he’d met when he’d been underwater, in seclusion, for all that time. But then, this one appeared to be made of flesh and blood, instead of water, tentacles, and blue, glowing eyes.

  “It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you know how, isn’t it?” Amphedia asked, a smile on her face, but her voice heavily laced with sarcasm.

  “I have a few skills, my lady, but magic isn’t something I know very much about.” Jarles said smoothly, then paused. Careful to keep his face neutral, he added, “Yet.” Jarles would have sworn she actually smirked at that, and almost smiled back himself. Almost.

  Amphedia narrowed her eyes then she did smirk before asking, “Would you like to learn?”

  Jarles would remember the jumble of emotions he felt in that moment for a very long time. But the truth of the matter was that he was relieved. He wouldn’t have to fight her, nor would he be supplanting her as the “guardian” or “overseer” of something so massive and complex as all of the waters of the world. He would have time to learn, like a real heir, or apprentice, even.

  “Gladly,” he responded, purposefully bowing to her for the first time in his life.

  Savaar cleared his throat then, saying, “Mother …”

  “One moment, please,” Amphedia told him, nodding in his direction. Jarles thought the look on Savaar’s face was one of pleasant surprise. He thought, maybe, that Savaar hadn’t expected Amphedia to say the word “please.” From all Savaar had told him of the Storm Goddess, Jarles knew he would be tasked and tested unmercifully, but she had done all she could to make sure he’d been born, and much more besides, so perhaps his own experiences with her would be more pleasant than Savaar’s had been.

  “The earth is damaged, and is likely to become more damaged,” she said, as she walked towards Jarles and the people surrounding him. Jarles felt the woman … what was her name again? B’nal? B’tal? Something like that, stiffen and even take a step behind him as Amphedia came closer and wondered what she was feeling. “You and I,” she said, nodding at Jarles, “must work to create balance, and …”

  “And get water to the Tuq’deb,” Jarles said with some heat, raising his chin. He watched as Amphedia’s eyes slid to the right before responding.

  “Of course,” she replied, but Jarles knew she was far from sincere. It didn’t matter, he would make sure that was one of the very first things he addressed.

  “And you,” she said, pointin
g at Eruitt, “you will take yourself to the beach where you will find Giya waiting for you.”

  “Me?” Eruitt frowned. “Why me?”

  “My dear boy,” the Storm Goddess made a face of impatience. “You have obviously been chosen to help her. You fairly reek of her touch.”

  “I do?” Eruitt was taken totally unawares, confused.

  “The mud!” Ramil said, a wide grin blooming on his face.

  “Mud?” Eruitt asked, his confusion deepening.

  “Come on, I’ll go with you. I’ll explain on the way there,” Ramil told him, already tugging at his arm.

  “Now!” Amphedia clapped her hands together. “Where is your brother, Savaar?”

  “Grandpa!” Jarles shouted, startled he’d forgotten all about him, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as he went to kneel beside his grandfather. He could feel anger prickling him, threatening to override his good sense, so clamped down on it hard. His grandfather had been afraid Amphedia would kill him when she arrived, and so had Savaar. Jarles knew she would have to kill him before she raised a hand against the only father he’d ever known.

  “He’ll have to come with me,” Amphedia said, looking down at him. “He won’t survive like this.”

  “Survive?” Savaar sounded incredulous. “You’re going to let him live?”

  “I can’t very well expect my heir to cooperate if I kill his grandfather, now can I?” Amphedia scoffed. “Besides, his Tear is missing, and I would have to have that before I end his life.”

  “Where is it Batal?” Savaar turned to her to ask.

  “I lost it, Lord Savaar. When the … the transformation started, it .. well, it hurt. A lot,” she explained, looking at the ground. “I must have dropped it.”

  “It’s in safe hands,” Amphedia told them, with a knowing smile.

  “Until or unless the one who has it uses it,” she cautioned, holding up a warning finger, “you,” she pointed at Batal, “may experience some … interesting side effects. I suggest you spend as much time in or near water as you can.”

  “Now!” she said, turning to Jarles.

  “Wait!” Savaar said, his jaw clenched, his eyes clouded. “What do you intend to do with me?”

  “Do?” she asked, a look of feigned confusion on her face.

  “You’ll stay with me,” Jarles told him, decisively. “I’m going to need your help,” he said, reaching out to touch his shoulder with his hand, while a small appendage of water reached out, surreptitiously making contact with his arm. We will protect each other, my friend, Jarles told him.

  “Very well,” Amphedia nodded. “Are you ready? Shall we go?” Jarles wasn’t particularly fond of her overly-cheerful tone of voice, and seeming cooperation. He’d seen enough of her true nature to know this was nothing more than a show, but he was going to take advantage of it while he could.

  “No, my lady,” he replied with sincerity. “We have dead and injured people here,” he told her, spreading his arms to encompass the area surrounding them. “If these are going to be my people, then I need to start by helping them.”

  “I see,” Amphedia answered. “The sooner you come to me, the sooner the your people both here and in the desert will have water. Remember that.” She turned then, walking swiftly back towards the sea, sinking further into the ground as she moved away from them.

  Jarles watched her go, then turned back to tend to his grandfather, wondering what he could do to help him. He gasped when he saw the last of his body – having transformed back into water - disappearing into the stones of the street.

  Chapter Thirty-Four – Epilogue

  It was just too damned cold in the desert at night, Sahil thought, wrapping his ragged cloak tighter around him. Nor did the small fire he’d started make much of a difference. But then, the fire hadn’t been made for warmth, it had been made to show his pursuers exactly where, in the wide desert of this strange land he was. It wouldn’t do to have them stumbling about, unable to find him. He did hope they would wait until after he’d finished his tea to approach him though. He smiled to himself. No, they probably wouldn’t just “approach” him, would they?

  He knew there were three of them, but wasn’t certain which of his former apprentices they were – which was exactly why he was waiting for them now. He’d found what he’d been looking for earlier in the day, and needed to make sure they would follow him no further. He knew there would be no talking them out of taking him back, no matter their affection for him (and his for them), they were sworn to the emperor now, and had no choice but to obey. The irony, of course, was that he was the one who had created the very specific magic which bound them to that obedience. If undoing those vows meant killing them, he would do so, no matter his personal abhorrence for the task. But no, unraveling their vows of obedience would kill him. And since he was the only one who could teach Kaya the sigils and words he needed to know, he would just have to live. Sahil shook his head, knowing how foolish he’d been to have waited so long to seek Kaya out. He’d always thought he would have more time.

  The thought of Kaya always brought a smile to his face and a small, warm spike of delight to his heart. And to think he had been right here, at this very spot, not so very long ago. He’d hadn’t been alone, nor had he been under duress. All these months later, he could still feel Kaya’s essence and the sense of how he’d felt. Here, in this desert, so far from his people, he had felt at ease, perhaps even eager. Of course he had! The boy had always been adventurous and filled with curiosity. Sahil knew he shouldn’t have been surprised to have had to travel so far to find him, but his body wasn’t necessarily so very happy to have to carry him on such travels either. He wasn’t sure when he’d gotten so old that he would prefer a warm hearth and warm tea to his own adventures; it seemed to all go by so quickly!

  And yes, judging by what he’d been able to read in the sands, Kaya had had some exciting adventures of his own. Sahil shook his head, wondering just how it was that he had come to travel with the son of a goddess. How thrilling for the boy! Sahil truly hoped he would be able to see the boy again before he had to die.

  He could feel the three of them out there, behind him. If he only knew for certain whether Afdal was with them, he would have a better idea of how to counter their spells. Afdal hadn’t been his best student, but he’d always been the most clever. And the most devious. Undoubtedly Sashio and Than were out there, two of his very best students. They didn’t even bother to try surrounding him. They knew they had him, at last. At least they thought they did. But Sahil had a few more tricks to teach them. Afdal wasn’t the only one who was devious. Although he might come by his cunning honestly, Sahil had had many more years to perfect his craft than his son had.

  Glossary

  Alqamar – “Moon” in an old language; most commonly used to describe a type of flower which only blooms at night.

  Arak – An alcoholic beverage.

  Campania – A group of desert people traveling together who may or may not be related.

  Candentis Vine – A rare fruit-bearing vine which grows only in arid/desert regions only propagated by those cuttings which give off illumination after harvesting of the fruit is completed.

  Havah – A type of plant which can be used as an intoxicant. Often used for ceremonial and/or religious purposes.

  Laknor – A type of nut, native to the desert, said to be sweet.

  Merlarn – A man who is specifically tasked with the holy duty of impregnating women from the desert in an effort to produce the prophesized savior.

  Midbar – That area of the known lands which is mountainous; it lies between the desert and the sea. Can also be used as an adjective to describe a person who lives in this region.

  Puj’hom – An individual who lives near the sea.

  Qatyeh – A head wrap used by desert dwellers to protect an individual from excessive heat. Also used to absorb sweat.

  Tuq’deb – An individual who lives in the desert.

  Undia –
A person from the desert who can feel the water beneath the sands.

  Yahlah – The leader of a compania.

  People

  Abalah – High Priest of the Blue Dolphin Order

  Aidena – Tuq’deb / heir to Siri Ventus / daughter of Hadia / mother to Nieva / Undia

  Amphedia – Goddess of the Seas

  Batal – Priestess of the Silver Swordfish Sisterhood

  Chared – Tuq’deb / son of P’onyem / Merlarn / Undia / Chained Man

  Denit / Maw’ki –Jarles’ paternal grandmother / Kerr’s lover / Jonath’s mother

  Drena / S’ray – Tuq’deb / Jarles’ mother / Jonath’s lover

  Easif – Tuq’deb / Warrior / Female / Picked by Kerr to accompany Jarles

  Eruitt – Tuq’deb / companion of P’onyem

  Giya – Goddess of the Earth

  Hadia – Tuq’deb / Aidena’s (human) mother / Acts as eyes for Siri Ventus

  Ishra – Tuq’deb / Warrior / Male / Picked by Kerr to accompany Jarles

  Jarles – Tuq’deb / son of Drena and Jonath / the Savior/Heir

  Jonath – Tuq’deb / Jarles’ father / Drena’s lover

  Kaya – From another land

  Kerr / Sabbah – Tuq’deb / True son of Amphedia / Jarles’ paternal grandfather / Denit’s lover / Jonath’s father

  Lumas – Goddess of Beauty / mate to Sov / Other Self of Giya

  Nieva – Tuq’deb / Aidena’s daughter

  Oculis – Acts as the Eyes of Siri Ventus / Drena’s (unknown) father / Jarles’ maternal grandfather / Aidena’s (unknown) father / enchanted owl creature

  P’onyem – Tuq’deb / Jarles’ maternal grandmother / Chared’s mother / Oculis’ lover

  Ramil – Tuq’deb / Warrior / Male / Picked by Kerr to accompany Jarles

  Sahil – From another land

  Savaar – True son of Amphedia

  Serat Caeli – Twin brother of Siri Ventus

  Siri Ventus – Goddess of the Air / blind