Sunweaver

by Ryan W. Mueller

  Maybe he was a Sunweaver, but he was still useless.

  The wagon came to a stop a few days later when they reached a prison at the edge of Hyrandel. This wasn't the way Kadin had imagined arriving at the country's largest city. The Sun Guards led them out of the wagon, keeping their shields as strong as ever.

  Kadin's next few minutes passed in a haze of depression. Before he knew it, he sat on the hard ground in a small cell. Faina had been taken to a cell in the next corridor over, but the walls were too thick for them to speak. When Kadin tried to use Sunweaving, he discovered a permanent shield around the cell. He'd never felt so powerless.

  Being alone gave him too much time with his thoughts. The images of his father screaming, of his family's pleading looks, lingered in his mind. Then he saw Andric lying dead. Both men had deserved it, but Kadin shouldn't have done it.

  He should have trusted in Aralea. She could decide how to punish people, not him.

  By now, he had come to accept his execution. He could have told them he was a Sunlord, but he didn't deserve to be saved, and it wouldn't save Faina. Kadin had failed her in every way possible. What did it matter if he failed the world as well?

  They already had a Sunlord. They didn't need another.

  The days passed so slowly he wondered if time itself had stopped. All he had to look forward to was his execution, and he did look forward to it. His entire life had been misery. Faina and life on the plantation had brought him brief happiness, but that had all vanished. He had destroyed it himself.

  It was time to face the consequences for his actions.

  Chapter 30: A Deadly Enemy

  Deril sat in a stone chair in front of Sondir's desk, hoping the Brotherhood's leader would see a way that Deril and Tiran could salvage their image as Brotherhood supporters. By now, Arna had surely shared the story of the strange rescue, and the Brotherhood members were much more likely to believe one of their Fireweaver comrades.

  Deril explained the situation. When he finished, tense silence fell upon the room.

  "How much do you think Arna suspects?" Sondir asked.

  Deril scratched his clean-shaven chin. "I don't think our story convinced her at all. To be honest, I find it hard to trust her. She holds a very negative attitude toward Sunweavers. Do you think she might be a member of Halarik's Chosen?"

  Sondir leaned forward, resting his elbows on the stone desk. "I have considered it. Her views are quite strong, as you noted. Nor is she the most forthcoming about everything she does."

  "If you suspected her," Tiran said, "why'd you have her go with us?"

  "Think about it," Sondir said. "On the one hand, you want to gain the trust of the moderates here in the Brotherhood. We might help you in your mission. On the other, you still don't know why Halarik's Chosen kidnapped the Sunlord. People like Arna might be members of Halarik's Chosen. If you'd gained her trust, you might've found some answers."

  "So what do we do now?" Deril asked. "There's no way she'll ever trust us."

  Sondir fell silent a long time, resting his beardless chin on his fist. At last, he said, "You're right. You'll have to find another way of learning why they took your father. Maybe there's something more in our archives."

  "I doubt it," Deril said, restraining a wave of panic. "The information we needed was on that page my brother tore out. He knew someone would come searching."

  "Unfortunately, I agree with you," Sondir said. "You two still need to gain the trust of us moderates, though. For that, you'll need to do another mission like this."

  Tiran leaned forward in his stone chair. "Do we have to work with Arna again?"

  "She's one of our best," Sondir said. "I know you don't like her, but she's always done her job well. I wouldn't want her as an enemy, but she's on the same side. She wouldn't put a mission at risk simply because she doesn't trust you. You can trust her that much."

  "I'm not so sure," Tiran said. "She was threatening to kill us."

  "But that was after the mission," Sondir said.

  Deril stifled a bitter laugh. "Well, we do have to survive these missions if we're going to rescue my father. Wouldn't it be easier to have us work with someone else?"

  "You'll just have to make sure you don't make her suspicious," Sondir said. "This next mission will be highly difficult. We need our best, our most talented. Those are Davin and Arna, and now you two. Either you learn to work with Arna, or you go after your father on your own with no idea why they took him and no way to save him. It's your choice."

  Deril clenched his fists in his lap and took a few deep breaths. He didn't need to show his anger. "I don't understand. The fate of the world could be at stake here. Are you willing to risk that on someone you don't quite trust?"

  "You think the fate of the world is at stake," Sondir said. "You don't know. But I do know that the lives of innocent Fireweavers will be threatened in the next few days. My job is to save the people I know need saving. I've stretched a lot of my values to help you because I think this could be important, but you can't expect me to change everything."

  "I understand," Deril said, but he burned with anger.

  "Good. Then let's talk about the next mission." Sondir cleared his throat again. "In three days, the Hyrandel prison will be holding one of its mass executions. Included among those to be executed are four Fireweavers. It'll be your job to break them out of prison before the execution. You'll have to do this the day of the execution, when there will be a lot of activity, and therefore a lot of chaos and confusion."

  "There will still be Sun Guards," Tiran said. "I won't kill them."

  "Then your job will be harder," Sondir said. "They won't hesitate to kill you."

  Deril rose from his chair and glared at Sondir. "I think you're taking advantage of our abilities. All you have to do is order the Brotherhood to help us, and they'll do it. You're their leader, aren't you? But no—you have to make us do things where we could kill innocent people. What do you want us to prove? We're not with you, and we never will be!"

  Tiran stood and put a hand on Deril's shoulder. "Calm down."

  "Why should I calm down?" Deril said, pulling away. "You've said the same things, Tiran. You're as skeptical of Sondir's goals as I am. It's time he told us what he really wants." He rounded on Sondir. "I want answers. Now."

  "Sit down," Sondir said, gesturing at the stone chairs. Though he sounded calm, there was a hint of irritation in his expression.

  Deril took a seat, but he didn't want to. Tiran settled down beside him.

  "I don't blame you for doubting me," Sondir said, leaning on the desk. "I won't lie to you anymore. I have been intrigued by how your talents might help us. There are few people, Sunweaver or Fireweaver, as strong as you, Deril. And, Tiran, you are quite strong in your own right. Your experience as a Sun Guard is also valuable. I hoped I could use you."

  "I don't like being used," Tiran said.

  "No one does," Sondir said. "But you have to look at this from my perspective. Yes, I wanted to use you, but I also wanted proof I could trust you. I'm a Fireweaver and a Council member. Trust doesn't come easily for me. I respect your mother, Deril, and I respect Daine, but I have to see for myself whether someone is trustworthy."

  Deril could understand that, but Sondir's behavior angered him. He should have said right away what he intended for them. Then again, he was a politician. Should Deril have expected anything else? Tiran always had told him he was a bit naïve.

  "And have we earned your trust now?" Deril asked.

  "You have, but not in the way I expected. You had all the reason in the world to abandon that last mission, and you didn't. You simply came up with a new way to do it, putting yourselves at great risk. Arna might not respect that, but I do."

  "Then give us the help we need," Deril said. "It's in your power."

  "If you go through with this next mission, I won't ask for anything else. I promise."

  "Can I trust that promise?" Deril asked.

  "I never promised
anything before. I am promising now, and I keep my word."

  Deril turned to Tiran. "What do you think?"

  "We're still at a disadvantage here," Tiran said, "but I think he sounds sincere."

  Deril took a deep breath, wishing he had other options. He clasped Sondir's hand, and they nodded, sealing the promise. Sondir could still break the promise, but people tried to stand by formal promises like this.

  "I'll have more details for you later," Sondir said. "For now, I think you should rest. You'll need your energy for the mission."

  After such a long day, Deril was eager to see his bed. He and Tiran excused themselves from Sondir's presence, then strode across the Brotherhood's large central chamber, heading toward their room. Deril hadn't realized how exhausted he was until now. His legs felt like lead. His eyelids were drooping. Perhaps that was why he'd snapped at Sondir.

  Deril was about to step through the door when Tiran jerked him backward.

  "Why'd you do that?" Deril demanded.

  "Because you aren't paying attention," Tiran said. "Someone threatened to kill us today. Don't you think she might try to follow through on that threat, or that someone else might do it for her? As I walked across the room, I was reading heat signatures, checking if anyone was using Fireweaving. No one was, but look at the door. Weave Orange and Yellow."

  Deril did so and stepped back in shock. Someone had prepared a strong Red/Orange weave. If Deril had stepped through that door, he would have burned to death before he could raise a shield. His heart pounded.

  "Arna did this," he said, trembling.

  "But she didn't do it alone," Tiran said. "The weave's too strong for one person."

  "At least we have some proof that Halarik's Chosen are here with us."

  "We do," Tiran said. "But we knew that already. Let's just disable the weave."

  Deril and Tiran worked together, weaving Yellow and Blue and directing their shields at the doorway. It took a long time to dissipate the weave. Deril glanced back at the main chamber, noting that a few people were watching them, disappointed perhaps.

  Deril stepped into the room, checking for additional hidden weaves. He and Tiran relaxed only once they determined it was safe.

  "We should inform Sondir," Deril said.

  "Maybe he'll believe our suspicions now."

  "I wouldn't guarantee that," Deril said.

  He and Tiran left the room, checking for hidden weaves. After they knocked on Sondir's door, he called them in.

  "Back so soon?" he said with a puzzled frown. "What is it?"

  "Someone just tried to kill us," Deril said, leaning against the back of a stone chair. He felt like he needed to check his surroundings every few seconds. His legs were shaking.

  Sondir leaned forward with a grave expression. "What happened?"

  "Someone prepared a Red/Orange weave in our doorway," Tiran said. "I caught it in time, but it was strong enough to kill us. We think Arna was behind it."

  Sondir narrowed his eyes. "And you have proof of this?"

  "No," Deril said, fighting to keep his frustration off his face. "But you have to think it's rather suspicious. She threatens to kill us and then someone tries to kill us. Too coincidental."

  Sondir scratched his clean-shaven chin. "But the weave was too strong for one person. There's a good chance it was someone else, possibly those members of Halarik's Chosen among us. Perhaps they've figured out who you are."

  "Or Arna is working with them," Tiran said, pacing at the side of the room.

  "I'm not going to turn against a member who's been loyal for years," Sondir said. "Not without proof. Give me proof and I'll listen. I'll keep your suspicions in mind, but the best I can do is suggest that you be very cautious."

  "I'm really beginning to doubt your motives," Tiran said.

  This time, Deril felt he had to calm the situation. He put a hand on Tiran's shoulder. "We're not going to change his mind. I don't like it either, but we are outsiders here. We'll just have to find that proof."

  Inside, though, Deril was seething. It felt like they were putting themselves in grave danger for nothing. Every day that passed was another day his father could die. Deril didn't care what anyone said. Fireweavers, especially those in Halarik's Chosen, were unpredictable. They might even risk the end of the world if they thought it would prove a point.

  "You two should get some rest," Sondir said. "I'll have someone I trust keep watch over you. Someone who would never be a member of Halarik's Chosen."

  "And you're certain you can trust this person?" Tiran said.

  "Yes. But if you're so suspicious, you can also sleep one at a time, though I imagine that would grow annoying after a while. The choice is yours." Sondir frowned. "But remember this. You want to work with these people. You want them to trust you. If they're going to trust you, you have to show that you trust them."

  "It's too risky," Tiran said, still pacing. Deril had never seen his friend so agitated.

  "No, he has a good point," Deril said. "I think it's a risk we have to take."

  Tiran rounded on him. "Someone just tried to kill us. It's not the time to take unnecessary risks. Some people might be willing to jump off cliffs, but I'm not one of them."

  "I know that I'm not always the most cautious person," Deril said, "but we have to take some risks if we're going to save my father, and this is one of those risks."

  Tiran walked to the corner of the room, looking away. "Maybe you're right. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. Let's pray we can trust Sondir's judgment."

  "You can," Sondir said. "Don't worry. I'll send someone to guard you."

  "Thank you," Deril said, turning to leave. They returned to their rooms, checking the door for additional weaves. There were none. Then they waited until their guard showed up. To Deril's relief, it was Davin.

  "I'll make sure no one tries anything like that again," Davin said.

  "Aren't you a bit tired from the mission?" Deril asked.

  "I already rested a bit. I'll rest more once you're done. Sondir figured I was about the only person here you trusted at all. I'll be nearby, trying to guard you without making it look like I'm doing so."

  Davin stepped out of the room and took a seat nearby. Deril closed the door behind him. Though Deril should have felt anxious, all he wanted to do was sleep. He and Tiran prepared for bed and settled down under their thick fur blankets.

  Deril was about to fall asleep when a faint buzzing began in his head. Someone was contacting him through Blue/Purple Sunweaving. Was it his father?

  Chapter 31: The Condemned

  Who is this? Deril sent, sitting up in bed.

  My name is Kae, sent a woman's voice. You don't know me, but I have a message from your father. He is being held at Firelord Atarin's palace in Haladel.

  Deril's chest felt tight. And how do I know I can trust you? How do I know you aren't trying to fool me into doing something that will endanger my father?

  You'll have to trust me, she sent. I am not involved with Firelord Atarin or Halarik's Chosen. I am a member of the Brotherhood of Fire in the Frozen Lands. Yes, I am a Fireweaver, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't trust me, or at least consider what I have to tell you.

  Deril leaned forward, kicking his legs against the side of the bed. All right, I'm listening.

  I know why they kidnapped your father, she sent. When Aralea sacrificed herself to imprison Halarik, she constructed her weave so that every Sunlord in the world would be needed to break it. That's why Halarik's Chosen have been eliminating all potential Sunlords. They wanted your father to be the only one remaining so that they could kidnap him and force him to free Halarik.

  A chill washed over Deril. As much as he didn't want to trust Kae, her story felt like the key piece of information he'd been missing.

  It gets worse, Kae sent, as though noticing his alarm. The way the weave works, it can only be broken on the anniversary of Halarik's imprisonment. That anniversary is twenty-seven days from now. She gave h
im the exact date. So you have to come up with a plan by then.

  And how can I be sure any of this is true? Deril sent.

  Can you afford to believe it isn't?

  She had him there. In truth, he'd always suspected something like this. He didn't like the time pressure, though. How could he come up with a plan to rescue his father in such a short time?

  How do you know all this? Deril sent.

  I recently befriended a young Fireweaver from Tarileth, Kae sent. Her name is Rella, and she faced a situation where she had to flee to the Frozen Lands. Because she's a potential Firelord, she was forced to go to Firelord Atarin's palace. She wasn't happy about it. While she's there, though, she's doing as much as she can to disrupt Atarin's plans. She found your father in the palace and heard from him what Atarin is planning.

  And how did she find him? Deril sent. Didn't they have him guarded?

  She found a secret passage that led to his chambers, Kae sent. Apparently, the palace has many of those, and people have forgotten about them over the years.

  Deril's stomach lurched. Wait! Secret passages, that might be what I need. Kae, can you tell this Rella person to continue looking for these secret passages. I know there's no way we can win a battle against Atarin, but maybe we can sneak in.

  I will tell her that, Kae sent.

  Thank you, Deril sent, trusting her for some odd reason. Is there anything else I need to know?

  I don't think so. Goodbye, and good luck. She terminated the connection.

  I'll need it, Deril thought, trying to ignore his churning stomach. He stepped across the room and woke Tiran, who looked up at him, rubbing his eyes.

  "What is it?" Tiran asked.

  Deril took a breath, then explained everything Kae had told him. Tiran listened silently, his eyes growing wider and wider. By the time Deril finished, Tiran was shaking his head.

  "This is not good," he said. "How can we manage anything in so little time?"