“You have a plan?” Ashni was beyond skeptical, but couldn’t be bothered to roll her eyes. “Does it involve us going to the training ground to spar?” It was a request her sister made daily and she wasn’t interested. If a person wasn’t presenting her with a proposal to return Nakia to her side, she didn’t want to hear it.
“My idea involves consulting an oracle to know the proper method for us to approach this problem. We have way too many ideas. We should find out which ones the gods favor and then we’ll know what to do. It’s not like your father would steer us wrong, right?”
Ashni hadn’t considered an oracle. Honestly, she hadn’t come up with many plans either. She couldn’t keep her thoughts together long enough. Without her hellcat by her side, she couldn’t focus and she knew it was driving Layla and Adira mad with worry.
“You just want to go to an oracle to find out if I’m fit enough to lead us to victory,” Ashni grumbled. What would the gods have to say about any of this? What would Dad have to say? For a long moment, she had been ready to throw it all away for her hellcat. Am I fit to lead, fit to chase my father’s dream? Part of her thought, yes. After all, her father had done something similar for her mother. But, her father didn’t have the dreams of hundreds of thousands on his shoulders. Surely, the gods would frown on her selfishness.
Layla shrugged. “Not me. You know I’d follow you into the dark, cold depths of Hell and enjoy the ride there. But, it’s getting around that you’re sulking over your lost kitten.”
Ashni growled and made a fist. “I’m not sulking.”
Layla arched an eyebrow. “No? Then what are you doing?”
“Brooding.”
Layla sucked her teeth. “Oh, yeah, that’s a big difference. Look, we have to see an oracle anyway. You know the troops like it when the oracle gives us the blessed words of the gods. We can get that and the blessing on a plan to get your spouse back.”
“She’s not my spouse.” Not that Ashni didn’t want that. She’d enjoy having Nakia by her side in any way, but she’d prefer spouse. Then, Nakia’s bastard of a father couldn’t take her back.
“No, she’s just the person you’re brooding over and willing to do anything for. Again, big difference. You can’t just sit on the throne until the day we leave. Let’s go talk to an oracle. What could it hurt?”
Ashni didn’t respond. It could hurt a lot. She might have fallen out of the gods’ favor and they’d have the oracle let her know. She’d find out that losing her kitten was only the beginning or it was a personal punishment from some failing she didn’t even know she had. How else can I explain having someone so precious ripped right from my grasp without even a farewell?
“You’re brooding again,” Layla said. “You’ve got to get up. You’ve got a date with destiny.” Layla punched her fist into her palm. When that failed to ignite Ashni, Layla scowled. “Don’t make me get Adira in here. She will nag you off this throne.”
Ashni had no doubt about that and groaned, falling back as much as she could without lying down. She didn’t want to get up, but more than that she didn’t want to hear Adira’s voice. She didn’t want to hear Adira reprimanding her over neglecting her duties or complaining about how she was the only one working.
“I should probably get off my ass,” Ashni said. If only to save whatever sanity she had left.
“Right. The West isn’t going to conquer itself. Besides, if we storm into the West, you could always steal your kitten back. I mean, come on.” Layla blew a raspberry.
Ashni wasn’t sure that was the right way to get back to Nakia. She planned to take over her Nakia’s homeland. Would Nakia come with me after she wades through a river of blood from her own countrymen? Would Nakia even be able to look at me after I personally snatched everything King Dorian built and reshaped it to my own liking? Maybe their time together had been a fantasy, something that couldn’t live when she continued her destiny. Perhaps the oracle would have an answer. And perhaps Nakia had actually been the punishment from the gods. Talking to the gods would be the only way to find out.
Ashni sighed and pushed off of the throne. “Let’s go. I can find out if I lost favor with the gods when Nakia was taken or when she arrived.” Why would they allow her to affect me as she has if she wasn’t going to be in my life? Well, if she was a punishment then, that’s your answer.
“Yes! I win.” Layla pumped her fist in the air.
“You and Adira had a bet, didn’t you?”
Layla followed her out of the throne room. “No, Adira was too pissed to bet me, but Naren did. He thought you’d sulk for at least another week or so.”
“I am not sulking!”
Layla smirked. Ashni suspected Layla was purposely getting on her nerves but knowing that didn’t make it less irksome. It didn’t make her forget the hole inside of her, the void, oozing and messy, gaping all the same. It didn’t thaw the frost in her veins, nipping at her soul.
“Maybe we should make a sacrifice before we go see the oracle. I mean, it couldn’t hurt, right?” Layla asked.
“We make an offering to the oracle. I’m not sacrificing anything beforehand and accidentally pissing the gods off further.” Ashni wasn’t sure what she had done to upset the gods to be punished so harshly, but she didn’t want to chance doing something wrong and making matters worse. So, there would be no grand sacrifice to the gods beforehand. That’d be too out of the ordinary.
Layla shrugged. “Fair enough. Don’t want the gods to think we’ve lost our minds here, making huge gestures for the answer to a question that we have to make an offering for anyway.”
Ashni wasn’t sure if Layla actually agreed with her or was humoring her. It didn’t matter. They’d do everything above board and proper. Maybe then the gods would see fit to return her hellcat to her. Or at the very least not impede her invasion plans. No need to ruin her and her father, and the hopes and dreams of everyone following her.
“Do you want to make a trip or should we just visit the oracle here?” Layla asked.
“Let’s start small. Making a trip involves making a trip.” She didn’t have it in her to go on a journey for answers that would come in riddles just yet. Also, it could eventually involve her mother who Ashni wasn’t in the right mind to deal with. Not that she was ever in the right mind to deal with her mother. Going to the greatest oracle in the Empire would attract her mother’s attention, and she didn’t want to have to explain to her mother what was going on in her life.
“We can get some food on the way and see a show,” Layla said.
Ashni scoffed. No, too much right now. She needed the gods’ assurance she wasn’t damned, as she froze from the inside out, lost to the divine light of the Sun. Exiting the palace and needing to shield her eyes from the brightness didn’t help. She felt so cold.
Khenshu was busy, as always, and Ashni was both disappointed and proud that it continued on, even as she hardly functioned. Somehow, the world still moved while she felt like it crumbled around her. The urban din surrounded her, loud voices, barking dogs, and the creak of cartwheels felt like an assault on her soul rather than her ears. The nerve of these people to still have lives while she had nothing. Rainbows of fabric moved around her as people rushed by. Some tried to engage with her but neither she nor Layla paused. There were times when she’d talk to her people and there were times she was on a mission and they’d have to wait.
The oracle temple was near one of the busiest markets of Khenshu, and the crowd from the market spilled over to the crowd of the temple. Animals braying, birds singing, and whatever other sounds they made mingled, some for sale and others for sacrifice. The smell of fire, smoke, and incense battled with food, perfumes, and sweat.
“This is more people than I expected,” Layla said. There was a line well beyond the temple doors. It was possible people were merely cooling off by the large reflecting pool outside of the temple or on their way to the market, but there were more people around than usual.
Typicall
y, Ashni didn’t care about lines. She was the queen, divine, and about to conquer the West. Now, being so pushy seemed like tempting fate. Skipping the line could anger a god, and then that god kept her from the West or from Nakia. It could be the tipping point where the gods decided to go from simply pushing her to punishing everyone under her command and rule.
“Come on!” Layla yanked her by the elbow, managing to get hold of her body proper even in yards of light teal fabric. Layla didn’t believe in lines but more because no one would stop her. If jumping the line was an issue, surely the gods would be just and hold it against Layla.
“Your Highness.” A priest bowed to them as they walked to the white gates painted with lions, bears, wolves, and leopards. Painted statues of the gods covered in jewels and precious metals lined the tall walls as if holding the temple up. Do they still hold me up, though?
“We need to see the oracle. It’s about our destiny!” Layla bounced on the balls of her feet, eager to get to the conquest, to the glory.
The priest smiled. “Of course. Danish!” He waved over a short young man in golden robes and feathers braided into his curly black hair, who hurried over.
Danish bowed, lowering his lightly made up face. Kohl underlined his dark eyes and yellow powder splashed against his lips, showing his mouth was blessed should the gods ever decide to speak through him, like many of the priests and priestesses of this temple. Maybe I should get my whole body blessed. It might be a little difficult to lead my troops into battle covered in powder, though.
Ashni and Layla were quite familiar with Danish. He often accompanied them when they visited this temple. They both waved the bow off, used to his hustle and bustle, like this was his way of being a part of their conquest. He’d get them on their way as fast as he could, so they could live their destinies. Danish led them down the smooth, polished stone walkway by more statues of the gods, lush trees, and holy pools.
They came to a teal and gold door with a detailed carving of Khurshid, the Sun and chief god, on one end and Dima, the Sky, on the other, both decorated with the finest jewels the Empire had to offer. Dima might be the god she upset, a harsh mistress with whims no one could understand or calculate. One day she was clear and beautiful and the next, ugly and cruel. She’d stay clear until Khurshid burned them all, destroying the shade by killing the trees, and taking what little water they might save. And, then the next she could call in her daughter to bring bountiful rain and make everything good again.
“Can I waste my question to the oracle on which of these two you pissed off?” Layla pointed to the doors as if she could read her sister’s mind, which she almost could.
“There’s no way I pissed off Khurshid. I mean, come on, my dad would vouch for me,” Ashni replied. Surely the Sun God would take her circumstances under consideration, as her father was also derailed for want of a woman. How could the Sun deny me what my father was granted? Perhaps I have to prove myself as he did. But, what more would I have to do?
Layla shrugged. “Unless this is to teach you a lesson, like leave your sister’s spouse alone or we’ll take yours from you.”
“There are so many things wrong with that statement.” Ashni turned her attention to the priest. “Danish, can we go in? I can’t stand out here and not strangle my sister in this holy place.”
Danish bowed his head. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Someone’s in with the oracle at this moment, but they should be done soon. We weren’t expecting you.”
“I don’t think she was expecting her either,” Layla said and even though it didn’t make sense. The stupid smile on her face made Ashni want to body slam her.
Ashni took a calming breath and reminded herself why it wouldn’t be the best idea to fight her sister here. First off, it was disrespectful to the gods, the King and Queen of the gods most importantly. Second, punishing her sister for telling the truth was beyond a sin. Third, possibly injuring an important part of Roshan destiny was an offense to her people and their shared dream. She might actually get struck by lightning in the temple if she touched Layla right now. And despite being the Sky Cutter, she was certain divine lightning could at least wound her.
They waited until a noble Ashni recognized, but wasn’t very familiar with, stepped out with another priest escort. Both the noble and the priest bowed their heads to Ashni and continued on their way. Danish held the door open for them and motioned for them to go inside. The small room was bathed in blue light from the ceiling, walls, and floor. The oracle was on her throne, sitting high at the back of the room. A thin veil covered her face, draping from a silver circlet dotted with pearls and emeralds.
“Your Highness.” She bowed to Ashni, beads in her hair clacking together as she moved. “Your Highness.” Layla was given a respectful nod.
“Before we get started, can I ask a question and not have it count as my question?” Layla asked. Her first time visiting the oracle, Layla blew her only question by asking if she could ask a question. The answer had been, “Well, not now.” Ashni and the oracle had a good laugh over that one. The gods had funny moments.
“It is all the will of the gods, Highness. You know that,” the oracle replied. Her voice was soft, like a bird’s song. “I am only their vessel.”
“Okay, we didn’t map out how we want to do this,” Layla said to Ashni. “What if there’s only one question for each of us? You want to ask about your spouse and I ask about you cursing our conquest?”
Ashni rubbed her face. “You have to be a punishment from the gods.” Layla’s presence, usually a comfort, felt like a mockery of her whole existence. How could Layla, who had given herself to an unworthy clod, have her relationship and union blessed by the gods while I’m shunned for taking an intelligent, fierce equal?
Layla offered an impish smile. “It’s possible. Your people did originally think us demons, if you remember. What were we called again?” She tapped her chin.
“You’re Roshan now.” Ashni didn’t like to think about a conquest of years ago, even if it gave her Layla. Sometimes, her brothers still whispered about her “shadow beast.” Ashni had never uttered the term, even back then, as her father always respected the Shadow Walkers, their abilities, and their culture. Different doesn’t mean wrong and conquest doesn’t mean right, he used to tell her.
“Right. So, you ask about your spouse and I got the conquest.” Layla patted herself on the chest.
Ashni shook her head and stepped forward. “Will the gods speak with us today?” she asked the oracle. There were days when the gods refused, as was their will. She never minded, certain she had their favor. Now, she wasn’t so sure.
The oracle tipped her hand toward Ashni. “Your Highness first.”
“Will I fulfill my destiny?” It was all Ashni needed to know. Everything else she could claw out herself, regardless of how the gods felt about her.
The oracle nodded. Danish poured a dark liquid into the fountain of water by the oracle’s chair. There was a flash, and smoke flowed over the rim of the fountain. Danish prayed over it and then filled a chalice. The oracle muttered long prayers while rocking back and forth. When she stopped, Danish placed the cup to her painted lips and she drank deep. Ashni waited, hoping the gods wouldn’t keep her there for the day, as they sometimes did. The oracle inhaled deeply, her body shook, and then a deep gurgle escaped her, a sign of a god’s arrival.
“Daughter of the Son of the Sun, why trouble us with such a question? Your destiny can only be fulfilled. That’s why it’s called a destiny,” the oracle replied, her voice now scratchy, raw, and ancient.
Layla laughed. “You’re so out of favor with the gods.”
Ashni’s nerves popped with the desire to tear her sister apart. For a long moment, the world fell away, sound ceased, and all she could think about was laying waste to everything before her. She wasn’t even sure how she managed to hold back. Why have the gods forsaken me now? “You think this is funny? We could lose everything!” The sound of thunder boomed outside. I
could lose everything!
“Stay your hand, Golden One. This child of the Moon is of yourself,” the oracle told her, voice still rough.
Layla cackled. “And you got scolded by the gods! Think that was the Amir? I bet that was him. Your dad liked me.” She puffed out her chest.
Ashni bit her lip to the point of blood. How did I get to this point? Why didn’t the gods tell me so I could make amends? She wasn’t so arrogant she’d ignore their words. Their refusal made the trip a waste of time.
Fury rushed through Ashni and she felt like it ripped her in half. There were two of her inside her now. There was one who wanted to do everything in her power to regain the gods’ love and attention. But, the other one, a louder one, was ready to get things done without worrying over the gods or her hellcat or anything else that kept her sidelined. She didn’t need the gods’ favor. You have a warrior spirit inside of you and beside you. Her father would never abandon her. She had him, she had Layla, she had Adira, and she had her own two hands. She’d get back Nakia and take the West by her own will. You are the Sky Cutter. You control lightning, just like the gods, and you get things done with or without the gods.
“Do well to remember yourself, Golden One. Do well,” the oracle said and then slumped in her chair. Her voice of the gods gone.
For what? What have the gods done for you lately? What have they done for you that you can’t do for yourself? What have they given you that you couldn’t get for yourself? A part of her felt like it was wrong to think that way, but she ignored it. She was capable. She was a demigod. She could handle herself, and whatever the gods decided to put in her path, she’d demolish with her strength. Because I am strong. Her other half couldn’t be silent at that. Strong enough to defy the gods? No one was. But, I’m not no one. I’m the daughter of the Great Amir. I am Queen Ashni, the Sky Cutter.
“Do you have something?” Ashni asked Layla to take her mind off of the fact that the gods seemed to know she felt like she could do this on her own. They had made her strong and capable, so they should be proud of her doing things on her own.
Taming the Wind Page 2