The Coming Dawn Trilogy

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The Coming Dawn Trilogy Page 38

by Austen Knowles


  “I know I do,” Surv bragged.

  “It’s because he’s going to be a warrior. Wyt told me they’d train him when he’s ready.” Yulley beamed at Surv, suddenly chatty now that the topic was her prized possession. She continued, “Wyt says Surv will be great, not that I need his visions to tell me that. I can see that he’s unique. He doesn’t look it, I know, but he can pick me up and carry me on his shoulder if I get tired when walking to Quallia. He’s built like a warrior. Just wait, and in a few years he’ll be as strong as a russux-ox. Kids shoot up like sugarbeads once they reach their first maturity of six.” She ruffled Surv’s hair, messing it up. He grinned, letting her, and then she patted his back. Ky enjoyed seeing how easily Yulley relaxed when talking about her son. She visibly loved him; it was endearing.

  “I’m fast, too,” Surv added. “Right, mother?”

  “Yes, you are,” Yulley praised. “Are you going to play in the games tonight? I think father will let you if you ask. Maybe you can show the warriors how well Sarnialites play.”

  “Can I?” Surv asked with wide eyes and a wider grin.

  “Ask your father. You need to eat more first. Warriors eat meat.” Yulley pointed at what resembled a small, orange glowing chicken leg. He quickly picked up the meat, and took a big bite. “Will you have children?” Yulley asked.

  “Yes. I want them,” Ky said, glanced at Cobaaron, and then added, “someday. I’m still young.”

  “You’re very lucky. It will be easy for you. You will not have to worry or weep bitterly for years like other women while wondering if you will ever have them. My partner is a Star and it was easier for us, but it took seven years for Surv, and it’s been five since. For a female Star, you will have no trouble once you decide.” There was hidden pain in her expression of heartbreak. Ky wondered if there was a spark of jealousy, but if she tried for years, Ky would feel envious, too. Ky picked at fruit from the platter so she could look away.

  “Why isn’t your son a Star?” Ky asked. “Since Wyt is a Star, shouldn’t Surv have inherited some Star traits?”

  Yulley snickered, but abruptly stifled it before apologizing. “Because Stars are born from the sky, and can’t be made in a woman’s womb. They’re celestial beings, gifts to this world, and reminders that He (the God of all gods) has not forsaken us in our hour of darkness.”

  “Well, that isn’t exactly true, Yulley,” Wyt interjected. “King Brock the Great wasn’t born a Star, but legend says he became one, or like one. He united with a Star, Arles. She was a beautiful woman, but was sick and frail. When they had their Union Ceremony, Arles and King Brock pricked their fingers. When they united, her blood flowed longer than anyone anticipated. She nearly killed the young king. Legend says he fell to the ground as if dead, but her blood saved him. They recovered from the pain, but not until her blood flowed heavily in him. After that, as the stories go, her hot blood circulated in his body like liquid silver to the point he could easily wield the light. He wasn’t fully mortal, but not a Star either. They said he was a Light.” After a twitch in Cobaaron’s direction, Wyt added, “But no one is certain. It was a long time ago. No one knows what happens when someone takes too much of a Star’s blood. No man is daring enough to take more than a drop. Most councilors die trying to unite with them. No one knows how altered a Star’s partner can become if more blood is exchanged. But one thing is for certain, they’re more powerful.”

  “You don’t know that,” Yulley disputed. “It’s like you said, it’s legend. No one believes a man can take that much Star blood, not as much as you’re suggesting, that he becomes a Light. Mere men, members of the council that usually unite with Stars do so at great risk to their lives, yes. More men have died trying than bonds have been successful, yes. Countless more died while trying to save a Star after their partner disappeared, by a second, weaker bond. But no mortal man can withstand that much blood unless the gods destined him for greatness, and God Himself appointed him. Besides, I was asking Ky if she was going to have children. What about you Cobaaron? I never knew you to be the type of man to think anything about them. But you have changed your mind about women, and I once heard you call them valueless.”

  “Well, now he’s going to be King.” Noxis exclaimed, approaching the plate of food, and sat on a vacant pillow. He brought X-avor and Edom. He clapped a hand to the back of his brother, and beamed at Cobaaron with pride. “With such a great leader, I’m sure much will change when we get to the city.”

  Cobaaron and Ky stared at Noxis. Cobaaron’s expression was unreadable as he watched him. Ky wondered if he was deciding if he could forgive Noxis, or if he didn’t like the close proximity to Ky. The silence was so long Wyt finally broke it as he concurred, “Yes, now that I’ve seen.”

  The three men sat next to Cobaaron, with Noxis at his side. Cobaaron didn’t say a word. Instead, he took a bite of meat, and watched Ky in his peripheral vision. Obviously he no longer liked Noxis so close to her, and leaned forward to block Ky from his brother’s view.

  A moment later Vergara was ushered in like a queen to a ring of pillows next to their group. The studs surrounded her, eager to sit with her, but there weren’t enough pillows for the men, so most of them stood.

  Yulley watched her carefully. Ky understood why. Indeed Vergara was beautiful, and received attention because of her looks. She was exotic, with almond eyes, plump lips, and dark brown hair that shone with health. Yulley wasn’t the only person who noticed. Many warriors coveted her. Men from Sarnia noticed her beauty and stared. Obviously it was Vergara’s intention because she wore a glowing blue skirt, and draped strands of native jewels to seductively cover her breasts.

  “Who is that?” Yulley asked.

  “Vergara of Sterlings,” Noxis replied.

  Cobaaron narrowed his eyes. If he weren’t glaring, Ky would have been wildly jealous. Even with his stern scowl Ky wished he wouldn’t. “So that is Vergara,” he said, and turned away before Ky became absurdly jealous.

  “She’s very pretty,” Yulley said.

  “Yes, but then she speaks,” Ky mumbled, disenchanted with Vergara. Ky never got over their first encounter. Since then, Ky avoided her if possible.

  Vergara sat as close to their pillows as possible, and Ky got the impression she was trying to look like royalty because she positioned herself so close that her back almost touched Edom’s arm.

  “You would know.” Noxis leaned behind Cobaaron and whispered to Ky.

  “What do you mean?” Ky asked.

  “I heard you’ve met her,” Noxis admitted. Ky looked surprised, until he added, “It’s my job to know everything that goes on, even in the presence of only women. I heard all about your first meeting.”

  “Yes, she is...” Ky was unable to finish that sentence without a foul word. She avoided the curious gazes and picked up a piece of fruit. Cobaaron put his hand on her knee as a gesture to not fret. Apparently, he was aware of their encounter too, and Ky realized that was why he glowered at Vergara.

  Still the center of attention, Vergara flipped her hair and complained loudly: “Where are the dancers? Where are the singers? This is nothing like the City of Sterlings. I do miss it, and I can’t be the only one.” The young studs muttered in agreement, but Ky was sure the men would have gone along with anything. “Well,” Vergara sighed loudly, which sounded more like a sexual moan, “I’ve performed in the past. I’d enjoy that better than eating glowing meat that smells like dirty water. I like the food back home. Now my old city had great food.”

  Yulley took offence and then shifted on her pillow. “Wyt, our guests are bored. Let’s start the games.”

  “We’re not bored.” Noxis leaned forward to catch Yulley’s eyes and then added, “Besides, the men should eat before they play games.”

  “I want to play the games.” Surv tugged his mother’s arm to get her attention.

  “You need to ask Father.”

  “Father, may I?” Surv asked. Wyt nodded his approval.

&nbs
p; “Please, Wyt, start the games.” Yulley begged her husband while flushing with embarrassment.

  “Yulley, my men must eat.” Cobaaron leaned over to a young warrior and tapped his arm. Everyone in Vergara’s group faced him. Cobaaron looked at Vergara as he spoke. “Take this woman and move her far from us. If she disrespects the host again, her actions will not go unpunished, and it will be the last time she eats with the group no matter what city we’re in. I’d even leave any woman behind if she brought dishonor to my troops.”

  Vergara’s mouth dropped, clearly offended and shocked. Vergara blinked, and then plastered on a fake but stunning smile, but it faded when Cobaaron didn’t return it. “I...I only seek your approval and attention,” Vergara said, then got to her feet and chose another circle.

  “If she sings or dances, she’ll be removed.” Cobaaron apologized to Yulley.

  Yulley said nothing, but her lack of protest was a silent approval. However, she continued to watch Vergara from afar as warriors lavished her with attention. Vergara welcomed it readily, apparently needing a distraction from her momentary embarrassment.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Ky walked along a rope bridge looking down at blackness; she could not see the ground. Thousands of free-floating rocks acted as the floor; they bumped and slowly ricocheted away. Some stones were as small as pebbles, others were over three feet wide, but most were about a square foot. From the cave ceiling hung several ropes, most held the bridge, but others hung in unusual places over the arena.

  The stone coliseum was bursting with loud warriors and townspeople. They clapped as Wyt led Cobaaron, Yulley, Surv, and Ky to the king’s box. Cobaaron was ushered in as a king, and took the throne with Ky beside him. Wyt and Yulley sat upon lower seats to their left, but Wyt stood to address his people.

  “My good citizens of Sarnia,” Wyt bellowed, and then waited for the applause to end. “The Ash of Gorgeon falls and after it settles my family and I will leave with the troops. I travel with Cobaaron to the City of Lights, where he will reign as king of the known world. He asked for my help and Yulley will be a member of his council. I invite women to follow in my lead by joining us to travel to a land that will shine like a midday sun. I’ve seen the future and know my family belongs there. I hope a few women will choose to seek a home there as well.”

  The natives whispered in shock, and some cried and pleaded for him to stay. “No, my people, this is a time for celebration. The world is changing in many ways. This week, until the heavy ash settles and hardens, we feast and celebrate. Tonight we begin with the tournament. So, let it begin.”

  There was cheering as warriors and civilians gathered at the bridge where local men held long staffs wrapped on each end with cloth. Once a participant took his staff, he dipped it into a bowl of blue glowing goo.

  “I don’t understand what’s going on,” Ky said.

  “Contestants balance on the rocks and attempt to knock others off. They are out of the game if tagged with the blue goop or if they fall. To fall is considered worse than being tagged, but more terrible, is disqualification by both. It’s embarrassing for any participant.” Wyt chuckled with knowledge that more than one would fall with the humiliation of the blue marker, and then he took his son’s hand telling him good luck.

  “You’re letting him play?” Ky asked and nervously eyed the endless drop under all the floating rocks.

  “It’s not dangerous. That pool is filled with ink. The ink is the only substance that repels the blue marker so we can see if contestants had a double loss. The semi-permanent ink fades, but will take the rest of your stay to wear off.”

  When Surv ran to the bridge to get a staff, Ky saw Tyrus as Surv pushed passed. Tyrus noticed the small boy when they brushed together, and let him weave his way into the crowd of towering men. Cobaaron noticed Tyrus, and leaned closer to Ky and said, “I’m curious how he will fare.”

  “I hear you took his weapon,” Noxis said, approaching the king’s box. He took a seat next to Cobaaron. “It will be remarkable if he wins. If he does, he won’t sleep well over the next few days. Men will challenge him even as he sleeps. They may try killing him while his eyes are closed so he can’t compete as chief.” Noxis beamed at Cobaaron and added, “He’s gutsy to participate after you’ve taken his sword. He reminds me of a stud who once challenged every man above him.” Noxis leaned forward to speak directly to Wyt. “Should those closest in rank to Cobaaron be worried for our lives, Wyt?”

  “Tonight, you will see a legend born,” Wyt replied.

  “That isn’t an answer,” Noxis said.

  Cobaaron took Ky’s hand and held it. “See that man there, Beldor, with gray, beady eyes and black hair?”

  “Yes,” Ky said when she spotted him.

  “Watch him, X-avor, and Edom. They’re the three I’m eager to see Tyrus compete against.” Cobaaron glanced at Wyt before saying, “If he wins, that would be interesting. But it would be more interesting if Octavos was here.”

  The contestants climbed down and stepped onto stones. The stones sank under the weight, some more quickly than others. Everyone kept moving to avoid sinking too far. The moment the rock no longer had an occupant, it popped back up, and floated at the height it was before. The disturbed stones swirled, propelled by the subtle force of motion as warriors skipped to higher and sturdier footing. The men hurried from stone to stone, as their balance was tested. The coliseum was huge with plenty of space for the thousands that entered the event. Even a few city women participated.

  Once everyone was ready, a man marched onto the rope bridge, and blasted the long horn. The bridge slowly rose; he clung to the handrail to view the game from high above the stadium.

  Immediately warriors ganged up on the townsmen and women. The merciless men tagged the townspeople out within seconds. Some fell into the ink pool. Most of the people who were knocked into the black pool were women; Ky got the impression the warriors found it disgraceful for females to play. The only townsman that survived was Surv. By design, he clutched onto the thick log and rolled beneath it, but that was the extent of his flashy maneuvering. He waited a moment, and then tried to climb back on top, but his small body didn’t affect the log as expected.

  He struggled to wrap his leg over the thick log and his foot flailed to no avail. Ky tried not to laugh at his comical efforts. Each time he got halfway up, the log rolled and he hung upside down again. He managed to spin an unsuspecting warrior off the log during his struggles. While Surv waited, thinking of a solution to his mess, two battling warriors landed on the log and birled; Surv held on, as the log quickly rotated. Surv pressed his cheek to the log, pinched his eyes closed, and turned green like he would hurl. The warriors changed direction several times until a warrior stepped back, stumbled over Surv, and landed in the ink pool.

  Tyrus hopped onto the log, and marked the remaining warrior. Sensing other men behind him, Tyrus spun and knocked two men off neighboring rocks. Before leaping off the log, Tyrus lifted Surv up by his staff, helping him to his feet. He gave Surv’s stick a light tap forcing him to step back, ensuring Tyrus couldn’t be tagged. Tyrus then sprinted from rock to rock as he swatted his glowing padded baton, tagging warriors.

  “Ah,” Wyt uttered a drawn out sigh, as native women entered the king’s box with baskets of gourmands peeled like an orange. They handed each spectator a basket of fruit, and left. All around the coliseum, women gave baskets to warriors. The men pitched fruit at the competing warriors, tagging them.

  Cobaaron leaned toward his brother, and said, “Don’t take it easy on young Tyrus. He is showing skill enough to handle much more pressure.”

  “I had no intention of doing so.” Noxis sneered.

  The warriors gathered at the center of the arena as the audience chucked gourmands. They battled each other with greater focus and stealth, knocking opponents off with more success now that they clustered together. A warrior who threw a gourmand hit Surv’s back, successfully tagging the last Sarnialite as Surv
made his way to the center. Surv instantly bawled, bitterly disappointed. He skulked back toward the king’s box, but before he took three steps, Surv was pelted three more times.

  Cobaaron stood, leaned over a railing, and helped Surv into the box. “You did well, Surv. You were the last Sarnialite, and lasted much longer than older men. You even knocked a warrior into the pool. You did well, young one, even some of my warriors were tagged before you.” Cobaaron congratulated him, but Surv wasn’t taking the loss well. He still sobbed.

  “Come son.” Wyt called when Surv headed for his mother. “You honored me out there, and showed excellent skill.” Wyt had Surv lay his staff along the rail and take his seat. He patted his son’s head telling Surv he was proud, but didn’t coddle him.

  The competition was down to a hundred skilled men. They were graceful fighters, each excellent in balance, and were swift to guard their backs. Now that most of the audience was without fruit, they spread out.

  “This will get interesting.” Noxis leaned forward, amused, and then swiftly stood and threw a gourmand at Edom running passed the king’s box. Luckily, the stone sank quickly and he hopped to another, accidently dodging the fruit. Cobaaron threw one, but this time Edom was aware they were hurling fruit and he leaped out of the way.

  There was a hailstorm of fruit. Everyone in the arena ran to the center, as warriors tagged each other. Edom caught a hanging rope and swung above the men, tagging anyone who had their back to him. Edom spotted Tyrus and stretched out his staff. At the last second, Tyrus swerved in the opposite direction, grabbed Edom’s staff, and yanked him off the rope.

  The rock under Tyrus’s feet sank and he heaved Edom free of his baton. Edom fell into the pool. Tyrus kept Edom’s stick, and bounded off the sinking stone. Warriors encircling him, stayed clear because he was a double threat with two staffs. Tyrus twirled the staffs and waited as the warriors stalked him, hopping from rock to rock watching Tyrus sink. Tyrus dropped a baton and kicked it at a warrior, and a moment later Tyrus leaped after it. The baton tagged the warrior, and when it rebounded, Tyrus caught the staff. He pivoted, tagging the warriors behind him as they charged.

 

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