Ashni nodded. Her father’s death taught them all, no one lived forever. She didn’t have an heir yet, but her dream could live on through Layla should anything happen to her. The same could be said for Adira. They needed to let the younger ones learn to lead. Now would be the best time, mostly because Ashni wasn’t in the right mindset to lead the conquest.
“Do you want to find Hafiz and speak with him again? Make sure he understands he’s now you?” Ashni asked.
“He understands. He claims to be ready. I think he is. I only worry about him being imaginative enough should the battle call for it. His thinking is quite strict. Good for learning, not the best for creating,” Adira replied.
Ashni sought Hafiz Vivek in the crowd of their military, finding him quite easily, a broad shouldered lad with long white feathers in his dark brown hair. Tattoos on his face stood out, marking him of the Bear Clan, stood out, but they weren’t why he was easy to find. Hafiz rode an alphyn. It was the closest thing to a dragon or a griffin many of them had ever seen. Once, when they were more abundant, there were tales the creatures were used to hunt dragons. Hafiz’s alphyn, Yata, was massive, the size of a giant workhorse, but with the body and face of a lion, scales on its thick front legs that met dark brown fur at the thigh, and long talons. Yata’s dark crimson mane ran the length of his back, down his tapered, dragon-like tail and ended with a tuft of fur. Hafiz had a saddle made especially for Yata but held his mane rather than using reins.
The soldiers liked to gossip over Hafiz and Yata, telling tall tales of how he faced the alphyn down and roared so loudly in Yata’s face, Yata had to bow to him. He told Adira the truth one night, and she told Ashni. He found the creature some years back and nurtured it from a hatchling to a best friend. Somehow, that impressed Ashni more than the idea of him beating the beast in battle, and she was certain Adira would say the same.
The army marched to the nearest town, a place they had conquered their first time in the West. The town, which had changed its name to Ashi to show its loyalty to Ashni, welcomed them. Several of their soldiers had stayed behind and the town was the first of the West to understand what they could gain from being part of the Roshan Empire. They already enjoyed new products from the East. Ashni and her closest comrades were given a posh villa with a lush garden, open spaces, and large rooms to stay for the time. Once they were settled in one of the sitting rooms, they received reports on what happened during their water crossing.
“It’s been confirmed that Nakia married Caligo Mor and they’ve headed north to his country of Nex,” Adira said as she pushed a scroll to the side. A pile of paperwork lay stacked on a low table between her, Ashni, Layla, and Naren. They sat on pillows on the floor.
“Then that’s where we’ll go. Did it say how many men he had?” Ashni asked.
Adira scanned parchment after parchment, her face scrunching. “There are no numbers on his army.”
Layla scowled. “How are there no numbers? What are your spies doing?”
Adira glared at Layla from across the short table. “Their job. What have you done? Your Shadow Walkers. Where are they?”
“With me, ready to take this miserable piece of dirt if we could get some accurate information.” Layla rapped her fist on the table.
“Adira, this is a little weird. Your people have held everything together here. Why don’t we have numbers on Caligo?” Ashni inquired with a tilt of her head. This lack of information wasn’t usually something Adira accepted.
“No one ever got a look and he never said anything. He arrived at Phyllida with a handful of servants, but nothing more. Even the servants weren’t actually his but on loan from Dorian. From conversations they picked up, he’s a master of dark magic,” Adira replied.
Layla shrugged. “It doesn’t take much to be a master of dark magic.”
“Yeah, isn’t he one?” Ashni motioned to Naren. The fact that he was a Shadow Walker always made her second-guess her knowledge of Shadow Walkers, even though she saw them in battle. Not to mention, she saw them when her father first conquered their people.
“I’m good at my craft.” Naren thrust his chin in the air and held his fist up. Shining, obsidian smoke glinted from his hand and the heat was sucked from the room.
Adira waved a scroll at him. “Can you stop before we freeze to death?”
“I’m just saying…” Naren waved his fingers and the smoke vanished. The temperature returned to normal.
“My point being it can’t be hard to do it if you’re considered a master.” Ashni resisted the urge to call him an idiot and turned to Adira. “Do we have any reports on what type of magic?”
Adira shook her head. “Caligo’s a mystery still. He didn’t use any magic on his visit and didn’t really discuss his craft style. Everything they have is hearsay. Caligo’s not the type of king to shout his glories to the mountains.”
“Where did he find this man?” Ashni wondered aloud than genuinely asked. It had been a long time since they came across an enemy like him, a mystery man.
“Spies confirm a nobleman by the name of Owen Acheros first brought the idea to Dorian. They’re not entirely sure how Owen knows the man. There were no hints Owen traveled to the north,” Adira answered.
“He has to know Caligo from somewhere. He didn’t just pull a king from thin air,” Layla said.
“We’ll take a small force then. Not much they’d be able to do against magic anyway, especially dark magic,” Ashni said.
“You take less men because they can’t stop magic?” Layla frowned.
“You need all the men we have for this conquest.” The conquest was everything for everyone else and Ashni couldn’t take away from that, even for Nakia. Also, deep down, she wanted to be the one to free Nakia from Caligo. It felt like her responsibility and she needed to do it, for herself and for Nakia.
“You’re going to rejoin us, though. It’s not like I’m marching on without you. I’m taking Phyllida and possibly any town or city after that, but nothing more. Phyllida’s practically conquered already,” Layla replied.
“I know, but Dorian is slippery. He has allies. We have to be careful,” Ashni said. She wouldn’t count Phyllida as conquered until she tore the city walls down. Until then, the city was still in play and Dorian was probably watching her people as closely as they watched him.
Layla pursed her lips. “You going into the unknown with limited forces isn’t careful.”
“But, this is a detour. It’s a taste, a nibble. You’re on the main course. We have to focus on that,” Ashni said. As much as she wanted her hellcat back, they couldn’t lose sight of the main objective. She might not like it, but she understood it.
“We got it,” Naren said.
“Make sure you watch her.” Ashni pointed to Layla. She’d tell Hafiz the same. She didn’t think he’d do the best job, but more eyes were always good. Layla was more than a force of nature, and there were times when even Ashni felt like she had to simply get out of Layla’s way. Of course, she never actually did, but others might.
“I don’t need him to watch me.” Layla folded her arms across her chest.
“I think we all know that’s not the case,” Adira said. “All right, let’s focus on the main attack. Dorian’s prepared for us, but we can work your command style and Hafiz’s command style. You’re almost opposites, so it’ll be difficult to counter you the same way. We just need for both of you to stick to the plan unless necessary.” Ashni believed this was the biggest problem for both of her stand-in commanders. Layla often went off script while Hafiz couldn’t fathom there was a way to change a plan.
“What’s going on with our people on the inside?” Layla asked.
“They’re waiting on word from you. As soon as you give the order, they’ll do what they do,” Adira replied.
“Why didn’t Dorian lock them all up?” Naren scratched his hairless chin.
“He’s locked up some, but he doesn’t know everyone involved. Beyond that, he probably didn’t want to draw too
much attention to his plans. If he locked up enough of our people, someone would send word. Remember, Dorian wants us to believe he’s still on our side since he gave us our tribute. He wants us to believe he’s still honoring our agreement,” Adira replied.
“He’s an idiot if he thinks we still believe that,” Layla said.
“You knew he was a snake the moment you met him,” Ashni said.
Layla leaned her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand. “Right about that.”
“Glad we agreed on something. Now, how about we actually go over this battle plan and get something done? Get Hafiz and the other generals in here.” Ashni tapped the table, rustling some of the documents.
Servants moved to make things happen. Ashni needed to have faith in her sister. It was just so damn hard to do considering the things she saw Layla do and the many times she watched Layla almost die from her own impulses.
***
Nakia found herself in disbelief. Somehow her husband’s country got more and more depressing as they traveled through it. There was a constant chill, but it still wasn’t a winter cold. It remained a crawling shiver under her skin, scratching at her bones. There was darkness always, like the place was under the shadow of a giant even during the day. Nighttime seemed like a vapor of tar covered the country. She could make out jagged cracks in the ground, as if the land itself was crying for help. Nakia could relate.
When they came to Caligo’s stronghold—as that was the only word for it—she was stunned. Sitting atop barbed black stones, every bit of it seemed sharp, pointed, and dangerous. It loomed with dusty, grey stones, glaring down on them as they approached. Smoke wafted from it as if it was breathing. Why would anyone choose to live here?
“This is home?” Nakia asked. The stronghold left a feeling like there were ants under her skin.
“For now,” he replied.
She held in a frown. “And what does that mean?”
“You won’t be here for long. I promise. We know Ashni will come for you.” He gave her a wicked smile.
Nakia frowned. He didn’t plan to keep her, but he planned to defeat Ashni. Soon, will I be part of his dead things? “And what of me?”
“If all goes to plan, the Roshan will take you off of my hands. I have no use for you.” He dismissed her with a flick of his thick wrist.
Yes! For once, it worked in her favor to be seen as useless. “What about heirs?” Not that she cared, but she wanted to be certain he didn’t have other plans for her. He had claimed if Ashni didn’t come, she’d have to do her wifely duties. It seemed like something that mattered to him since he brought it up and she wanted to be sure he was willing to let that go. She’d very much like to get out of this without having to touch him. So far so good. With luck, that would hold, but she didn’t want to get her hopes up.
He tilted his head. “Do you know the Roshan have a secret to immortality?”
It took all of Nakia’s self-control to not laugh. “What makes you believe that?” If the Roshan had the key to immortality, why not use it to save their beloved Amir? She was certain if Ashni could’ve saved her father, she’d have done it through any means possible.
“I’ve seen some of their books. I even practice some of their magic. I know what they’re capable of.”
“Hard to believe when we’ve all agreed they’re savages.” His faith in the Roshan and their magical knowledge didn’t sound like someone who thought the Roshan were blood-thirsty barbarians.
“Oh, but they are. They have all of this stolen knowledge, and they don’t know how to use it. Do you think they know they have the secret to immortality?” Caligo scoffed.
That seemed possible for the Roshan to have stolen knowledge since they conquered so many people and so much territory. Still, she doubted they had the secret to immortality. She doubted they had knowledge they didn’t know about as well. “So, how will they know what to give you?”
“I know the exact books I’ll exchange for you, the titles, which libraries they’re in, and all. I’ll get everything I deserve, and they’ll get you. I think I’m getting the better end of the deal.”
“Which is why it most likely won’t work. They won’t exchange me for such valuable and useful information.”
He smiled. “Won’t they?”
She wished she was as confident in Ashni as he was. Yes, she made a fool of herself for Nakia with the marriage proposal, but that didn’t mean she was willing to part with her nation’s treasures.
“You plan to fight the queen. If you defeat her, the Roshan wouldn’t want me,” Nakia said.
His nostrils flared briefly and he sat back. It didn’t seem like he considered that, didn’t think about the possibility of his plan not working. She wouldn’t care, but his reactions to things would dictate her life until she figured out a means of escape.
“Ashni would make this deal before she comes to save you. I’d release you once she arrived. She should see a true master before I crush her.”
Nakia arched an eyebrow. “But, why does it matter to defeat her in battle?”
“So she knows, so they know they’re not worthy of any of the knowledge they’ve stolen. Beyond that, she thinks she’s a top warrior. The Roshan worship her like a god. I will show them a true god.” His eyes glinted as he made a fist.
It was a little funny to see so many men chasing after Ashni’s back, trying to outsmart her. For all their talk of being the superior sex, Nakia didn’t see it anymore. Her father’s every move now revolved around the idea of defeating a woman. Caligo was almost the same.
As they came to the dour walls of the citadel, the gates creaked open. Someone had to be there, but she couldn’t see anyone. Does he do everything with magic? She hadn’t witnessed any magic beyond parlor tricks done at banquets. The carriage groaned to a stop.
“We’re here,” he said, knocking on the carriage door. It opened. He stepped out and then put a hand out for her. She waved him off. His mouth curled downward for a second, but he got out of the way, so she could get out on her own. Her sandals touched down on hard, grey stone and the cold went through the leather to the sole of her foot immediately. She squared her shoulders against the gloomy atmosphere.
“Welcome home,” Caligo said with his crooked smile.
Nakia scanned the area, trying to assess the situation. She was surrounded by dark wood and what looked like black marble making up the construction of the manor. It was like being swallowed by a blank spot in the night sky. The courtyard itself was empty, no plants, no fountain, nothing to make a person feel at ease.
Caligo cleared his throat. “Come along. I’ll show you to your room.” He moved toward the main house and she followed, their footsteps somehow silenced like every other thing in Nex. His magic?
“No servants?” Nakia asked. How could a wealthy man, a king no less, not have servants?
He chuckled. “I could have my servants show you, but I don’t think you’d like meeting them.”
The shadows gave an unholy growl for a brief second, enough to make her heart skitter, and Nakia decided to take his word on it. He knew his land and people better than she did. They entered the main hall of the manor. Even with white lights running atop the wall, the place still seemed morose and shady. She wondered what sort of light it was after seeing the Roshan had bioluminescent creatures for light and her own country used insects. The light wasn’t from candles or fire. Are there other ways to make light and somehow still have the house seem covered in shadows?
“Don’t fall behind if you value your life.”
Nakia hadn’t realized he was so far ahead of her in the hallway. She hurried after him as the darkness seemed to move, shift, and even lean in for a closer look. For a moment, she was certain a shadow crept off the wall to touch her shoulder. Caligo gave the wall a sharp glare. Is this my imagination or his power?
Even with his stare, she could have sworn the darkness was breathing on her, casting icy exhales on the back of her neck. It
stalked her as they moved through the halls, wiggled near her, as if getting a feel for her.
“This’ll be your room.” Caligo led their way upstairs. He motioned to a door. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay in there.”
Nakia opened her mouth to ask a question, but it died on her lips as a gaping, fang-tooth maw appeared on the wall. The shadow-mouth shot out toward her. Rooted to the ground and her mind completely blank, Nakia expected her demise. Caligo waved his hand. The maw disappeared like black smoke. What the hell was that? Nakia’s heart pounded through her chest, and a cold bead of sweat cut a chilly path down her cheek.
“You control the shadows?” Her teeth chattered, even though she tried her best not to show fear. This was beyond anything she had ever seen, almost more than she could take. He could murder her with his home if he felt like it, and she doubted anyone would ever know. She didn’t know how to make sense of that.
Caligo smirked. “Just some of the things I’ve learned from Roshan texts.”
Nakia’s brow furrowed. He didn’t seem to have the best control over these shadows. Unless he did that on purpose to frighten her and give her a taste of what he capable of.
“Stay in here until I say so. Eventually, the barbarian queen will send for you and I’ll let you go.”
Something pushed her into the room. The door slammed behind her and she was alone, but she didn’t feel alone. There was motion all around her, subtle but there. She swallowed her fear.
The room looked plain, nothing like what she was used to. A slim bed sat in the corner with a desk in the opposite corner and nothing more. No frescos like at home or even tapestries she had gotten accustomed to in Khenshu. No windows, either. The walls were painted black. The only light was from the top of the wall, running in along the lines where the wall met the ceiling, possibly there from magic as she couldn’t see a source. If Caligo could control the light, he could leave her in total darkness whenever he desired.
“There has to be a way out of here,” Nakia muttered, exploring the walls, running her fingertips along the cold stone. It was like touching water, but only the surface. Somehow, the shadows rippled and rolled under her hand. It didn’t stop her from feeling for an exit, but nothing on the wall stood out.
Taming the Wind Page 8