Sunweaver

by Ryan W. Mueller

  Kadin hung a few feet back from his father and the Sun Guard, shifting his weight back and forth. The Sun Guard went over terms of the sale with Kadin's father, and Kadin's father signed the document, failing to hide a grin. Disgusting. Kadin would get his revenge one day.

  The Sun Guard conferred with a few of his nearby comrades, obtained a large sum of gold coins, then handed the coins to Kadin's father.

  Kadin's father kept smiling, as though daring Kadin to say something, but Kadin didn't respond. He watched with narrowed eyes as his father turned and strode away, leaving him to his grim fate.

  Could this life be better than the one he'd had?

  The Sun Guard walked over to Kadin, put his hands on Kadin's shoulders, and moved his clean-shaven face close to Kadin's. "I believe what you said about your father."

  "Then why'd you let him sell me?"

  "No one cares about the Lightless. To the law, a family fight among the Lightless doesn't matter. I let him sell you because slavery is probably better than life with a man like that. It won't be easy, but some slaves even earn their freedom eventually."

  "And what if you're wrong?" Kadin asked, feeling sick.

  "Well, that is a possibility. In that case, you won't thank me." The Sun Guard tried a reassuring smile, but it looked forced.

  The man led Kadin over to the other slaves, but didn't place him in chains. "I'm putting trust in you. Don't run. You will regret it if you do."

  Kadin knew better than to disobey a Sun Guard. They were all Sunweavers, far above his station and with powers he could never hope to rival. He stood beside the other slaves, all of whom were chained.

  The closest prisoner looked a year or two older than Kadin, and she was pretty, with curly brown hair, but she was also terribly skinny. She gave him a smile. "You look miserable."

  Kadin stifled a nervous laugh. "Well, I'm about to be a slave."

  "It could be worse. Slaves usually get fed. Better than life on the streets."

  "I wish I'd grown up on the streets instead of with my father."

  She gave him a sharp look. "Don't say that. You don't know what it's like worrying if you'll ever get your next meal, worrying about street gangs and avoiding Sun Guards. Maybe your father abused you, but you didn't have it as bad as you think."

  Kadin hadn't thought of that. Maybe slavery wouldn't be so terrible. At the moment, though, it was impossible to find anything positive about his situation.

  "How'd you end up here?" he asked.

  "Got caught stealing food." She shrugged, looking uncomfortable. "Can't say I'm too upset."

  "You never told me your name."

  "Faina."

  "Kadin."

  The rest of the chained slaves, all men, were ignoring Kadin and Faina. Most of them looked pale and terrified. The older, rough-looking men talked quietly among themselves. Kadin couldn't shake his suspicion that they were hardened criminals.

  The Sun Guard kept watch over them, and Kadin didn't think of running. Though the man had treated Kadin kindly, he didn't seem a man to cross. And even if Kadin did escape, he wasn't sure he could manage life on the streets. Faina was right. As tough as his life had been, he had never starved. Other people had it much worse.

  Kadin turned to Faina, about to ask her more questions, but then the Sun Guard stepped toward them. "All right. It's time for the auction. Come with us."

  The other Sun Guards appeared, drew their swords, and led the slaves out of this corner of the square, to a raised platform ahead of them. They all stepped onto this platform and lined up. Kadin remained close to Faina, feeling like he didn't belong here.

  Below, a group of four potential owners assembled, staring up at Kadin and the other slaves with discerning expressions. Kadin couldn't help but feel that he was being evaluated like a cut of meat at the butcher's. It made him feel less than human. Other people, probably affiliated with their potential owners, stood farther back.

  Faina looked pale.

  "You all right?" Kadin asked quietly, not sure if they were allowed to speak.

  "I feel so inadequate here. I'm the only girl. I'm not as strong as anyone else here." Her chin trembled. "And look at the way that one on the right is looking at me. I don't like it."

  Kadin examined that man. He was leering at Faina in a way that struck Kadin as sexual. Kadin prayed that someone else would choose her.

  The Sun Guard stepped to the front of the platform and looked down at the crowd. "It's time for this auction to begin. We have nine slaves here. Most are pretty criminals. Thievery. Assault. Those kinds of crimes. The one farthest on the left was regrettably sold by his struggling family. The one in the middle—I believe you've already been informed of his situation."

  Kadin felt grateful that the man had said how he was different from the others. Maybe that would allow him to find a better owner. Still, he felt like throwing up.

  The auction began, and the Sun Guard started at the other side of the line. Kadin knew little about money, so he had no idea how much the men were paying for each slave. The longer the wait stretched, the more his legs trembled.

  He shouldn't have felt so anxious. After all, how was this any different from his previous life? He'd been nothing but a slave to his father. A slave who couldn't do anything right.

  Would that change in new surroundings, or would he keep disabling Sunlamps?

  One slave sold, then another, and another. Eventually, the Sun Guard turned his attention to Faina. Kadin looked out at their potential owners. Three of the four had purchased two slaves each, but the one who was too interested in Faina had only bought one.

  "This girl has committed minor food theft," the Sun Guard said, projecting his voice. "She looks a little underfed, but that can be corrected easily enough."

  The bidding began. The three who'd already purchased two slaves quickly dropped out, leaving Faina to the creepy one, who leered up at her again. At the conclusion of the bidding, the Sun Guard led her down to her new owner.

  Kadin felt naked and alone on the stone platform. He didn't even have Faina's beauty. What skills could he offer a slave owner?

  The Sun Guard cleared his throat. "This boy, as I said earlier, was sold by his family, who needed more money to survive. He might not be the largest or strongest, but he promises to be a less difficult slave since he is not a criminal of any kind."

  Kadin thought that might help him, but when the bidding began, they all seemed less enthusiastic to purchase him. His heart pounded, and he struggled to keep his legs steady.

  Faina's new owner won the bidding for Kadin. Though Kadin was happy he'd get to see Faina again, he didn't like something about their owner. Kadin's legs trembled more than ever.

  The Sun Guard put a hand on Kadin's shoulder and spoke in a low voice. "I'm sorry he's the one who purchased you. I've heard tales about how he treats slaves. Stay strong."

  Kadin made his way to his new owner on wobbly legs, the Sun Guard's words lingering in his thoughts. He looked into his owner's eyes, and shuddered.

  Chapter 7: A Secret Meeting

  Deril closed his eyes and prayed, kneeling on the floor of one of the temple's prayer chambers. The conversation with his mother haunted him. How could this woman he'd known his whole life be a Fireweaver? Was everything he'd ever learned wrong?

  He prayed and prayed, but he got no answers. In truth, he had no idea if Aralea heard people's prayers. She never intervened in worldly affairs.

  Deril rose and walked out of the room. Outside the door, he encountered Father Alvin, one of the temple's many priests.

  "You look troubled," said Father Alvin. "Anything I can help with?"

  Deril didn't think he could trust the priest with the secrets he'd just learned. Besides, Deril had promised his mother he wouldn't reveal her true nature.

  "I'm questioning everything at the moment," Deril said. "Thank you for the offer, but I need to sort through my thoughts on my own."

  Father Alvin nodded in support. "You are wel
come to speak to me if you change your mind."

  Deril thanked him again and turned left down the corridor. As he walked, he couldn't help but feel Father Alvin's gaze on his back. He glanced back and could have sworn he saw a knowing look in the priest's eyes. Did Father Alvin somehow know the truth?

  No. That wasn't possible. It was only Deril's imagination, his newfound paranoia. Pushing these concerns aside, Deril marched to the part of the temple where he knew he'd find Tiran.

  "What's wrong?" Tiran asked as soon as he saw Deril. "What did your mother tell you?"

  Deril hesitated. Should he reveal his mother's secrets to Tiran? Like any good Sun Guard, Tiran worshipped Aralea and believed Fireweavers were evil. How would he react?

  "That's between the two of us," Deril said.

  "You can trust me. Whatever the secret is, I can handle it."

  "Not this secret," Deril said, walking away with regret.

  Tiran grabbed his arm. "Wait. Captain Hanir is going to have us meet and discuss what we're going to do about your father's disappearance. The meeting will begin shortly."

  "All right," Deril said, a little sharply. "Lead the way." He didn't know what they'd accomplish at this meeting. All they could do was address how they'd keep the kidnapping secret. The people of Tarileth would panic if they found out. Deril had trouble fighting panic himself.

  They walked along the wide stone corridors of the Temple of Aralea, making their way by the light of Sunlamps. Toward the center of the temple, they entered a large conference room. Those of the temple's Sun Guards who were not currently assigned to posts were all there. Captain Hanir sat at the head of the rectangular stone table, looking on with concern. Deril and Tiran took seats near him.

  Captain Hanir called for calm, and everyone in the giant chamber fell silent. Deril fidgeted in his cushioned stone chair.

  "As we all know by now," Hanir said, "Sunlord Zaren has been kidnapped. So has Karik, Zaren's son. We don't know who kidnapped them, or why, but we must address this issue."

  We do know who did the kidnapping? Deril thought, but he couldn't reveal it, not without breaking his mother's confidence. How could he pursue his investigation and keep the details of it secret? He felt as though he were in a raging river, struggling to stay afloat in frigid waters.

  "I would like everyone's input," Hanir said, "before we choose a course of action." He turned to Deril. "You saw the wagon carrying him. Did you find out anything?"

  "I didn't get close enough," Deril said. "I have nothing."

  He prayed that no one would see through his lies. His mother sat off to his left, looking on with a frown, her face pale. She made eye contact with him, and he nodded.

  "What about you two?" Hanir asked, looking to the two guards who'd manned the gate and let the wagon through.

  "We already told Deril before," said the man. "Nothing seemed amiss. Karik was leading the wagon, and he didn't seem like he was under duress. There were a few other people that I've seen with Karik before. We didn't see the Sunlord at all. He must've been hidden."

  Hanir frowned. "Are you saying Karik might have been involved?"

  "I don't know. I'm only pointing out what I observed."

  "Well, we need to consider all possibilities," Hanir said, drumming his fingers on the stone table. "I'd like to think Karik was a victim in this, but we can't be sure of anything until we acquire more information." He ran a hand through his dark beard. "We also need to address what we're going to tell the people."

  "We shouldn't tell them anything," Deril said. "They'll panic."

  Hanir chewed on his lower lip. "Yes, that seems likely. But we'll have to inform the Church of Aralea and the Sunweaver Council.

  Deril's mother cleared her throat. "I'm afraid that might lead to the word spreading. Zaren has been rather reclusive as of late. Even the Council rarely sees him. We could try to hide this for now."

  "Mother, I agree with Hanir," Deril said. "We can't keep this information from them. The Church and the Council are smart enough to avoid spreading the news."

  She gave him a sharp look. "Perhaps I do not trust them as you do."

  Deril understood her reluctance. The Church and the Council were foremost among the authorities that persecuted Fireweavers. This was a different kind of matter, however. They could trust those bodies with this. It was better than risking that they'd discover the kidnapping on their own. That would lead to friction between them and the Sunlord's family.

  High Priest Teravin, the leader of the Church and a member of the Council, was well-known for his strong stance against Fireweavers. He also seemed to have his eyes on High Councilor Jarek's position at the head of the Council. A man that powerful would not react well if the Sun Guard kept the Sunlord's disappearance a secret.

  "Trust doesn't matter," Hanir said. "Deril's right. They have to know."

  There was some murmuring, but no one disagreed outright.

  Deril's mother looked away. He didn't know what to think of her. Did she have a good point when she said they shouldn't let the news spread? If Fireweavers were as prevalent in society as she said, word could reach the wrong people.

  At the head of the table, Hanir massaged his temples. "I hate this. We have no leads. We've failed in our duty. How could this happen? How did they get in so easily?"

  "Are you sure Karik wasn't involved?" asked a Sun Guard Deril didn't know.

  "Why would the Sunlord's own son kidnap him?"

  No one had an answer for that.

  Deril glanced at his mother, who looked paler than before. As much as he hated what she was, he wished he could reassure her and convince her he wouldn't turn her in. He wished he could convince himself. Letting her remain free felt wrong.

  But not as wrong as it felt to keep everything secret. He couldn't do it alone.

  "If we have nothing else," Hanir said, "we'll get back to our posts. We've already alerted the rest of the Sun Guard. Let's pray that someone finds him before it's too late."

  Hanir dismissed the meeting, and Deril left with Tiran.

  "Do you have to get back to your post immediately?" Deril asked, putting a hand on Tiran's armored shoulder.

  "I suppose I could spare a few moments," Tiran said. "You ready to share these secrets?"

  "Well, I don't know if I'm ready, but I know I can't do what I have to do alone." He glanced around the crowded corridor. "Let's go to my chamber."

  They went up a nearby set of stairs, passed through more wide corridors, and arrived at Deril's chamber. He led Tiran inside and thrust the door closed. His chamber was large, with rich red carpets, sturdy stone furniture, and thick glass windows through which the dim evening sun shone.

  Deril and Tiran sat down in stone chairs covered with soft red cushions.

  "So what do you know?" Tiran asked, leaning forward.

  "You need to promise not to spread this information."

  "Of course," Tiran said without hesitation. "I promise." And he would keep his word. Tiran was an honorable man.

  "Karik kidnapped my father."

  "How do you know that?" Tiran asked.

  "Karik is a Fireweaver. So is my mother. That's what she told me today."

  Tiran scanned Deril's face for a few long moments. "You're not lying. I can tell. It seems ridiculous, but I have to believe it."

  "You will keep it secret, right?"

  "Well, I shouldn't," Tiran said, shifting in his chair. "But you're my friend, and I made a promise." He shook his head, chewing on his lower lip. "To tell you the truth, I'm not so sure about Fireweavers being evil by nature. Sun Guards come across Fireweavers frequently. Most of them seem like normal people simply trying to hide their powers. Not evil at all."

  "You're taking this a lot better than I did. When my mother first told me, I wanted to run and tell someone. I made her a promise, though." Deril scratched his chin. "Do you really believe they aren't evil by nature?"

  "Yes, I just never had any reason to share such dangerous thoughts unti
l now."

  "Maybe my mother is right," Deril said. "This world is more complicated than we've been led to believe. I just wish I knew what I should believe."

  "Does your mother have any information?"

  "That's what she wanted to tell me. She's going to contact someone she knows from the Brotherhood of Fire. Then we'll have to infiltrate the group and find out who in there is also part of Halarik's Chosen. She is almost certain that Halarik's Chosen kidnapped my father."

  "I don't think you can do this on your own," Tiran said, smiling for the first time in a while, as though he looked forward to joining Deril in this dangerous investigation.

  "Well, that's why I've told you," Deril said. "I'll need help. We need to figure out why they took my father and who exactly is in charge."

  Tiran glanced around, Sunlamps bathing his face in a golden glow. "This could be very dangerous."

  "I know, and I hate to sound dramatic, but I have the feeling the fate of the world is at stake here. Father's the only Sunlord left."

  Deril had always found that suspicious. In years past, there had been as many as ten Sunlords at once. Over the last decade, though, assassins had targeted anyone who showed the promise of becoming a Sunlord, leaving Deril's father to shoulder the duty alone.

  But who would kill Sunlords? The world would die without them. Deril couldn't feel the sun the way his father could, but he trusted his father's judgment. The sun was dying. One Sunlord alone could not sustain it.

  "I have the same feeling," Tiran said. "We need to act quickly."

  A knock sounded on the stone door. Deril rose and answered it to find his mother standing in the doorway, joined by a dark-haired, middle-aged woman.

  "May we come in?" his mother asked. Deril nodded and led them to more of the stone chairs filling the large chamber. Tiran watched the new arrival with suspicion, looking uncomfortable as everyone took seats.

  The middle-aged woman's severe gaze settled on Tiran. "Who is this?"

  "That's Tiran," Deril said. "He knows everything I do. And you are?"

  "Daine," the woman said. "An old friend of your mothers. Are you sure it was wise to involve a Sun Guard in these matters?"