by JC Kang
Kaiya drew a sharp breath. Had she just bluffed a dragon? Maintaining a straight posture to hide her surprise, she received the jewel.
It was a colorless crystal, the size of a man’s fist, but light as air. Round at the bottom, tapered toward the top like a lotus. The number of tiny facets was beyond fathom. It sang in her hands, forming a symphony with the sounds of the hill, the chanting of the priestesses and the breathing of the Paladins.
Avarax roared again, sending the air cackling like sparks. “Now, mortal, sing.”
Can you feel the change in vibrations? Lord Xu had asked her the night before her departure for Vyara City. Avarax’s voice had modulated. It echoed with something deep in his chest, sluggish yet powerful. Different yet familiar, now that the Lotus Crystal was in her hands.
Kaiya bowed low, holding the position as she contemplated the sounds. Before singing her planned modifications to the music, she had to first test her theory.
Raising her head, she lifted her voice in song, the exact melody which Rumiya had given her. Each note reverberated into Avarax, the frequency of the dragonstone at his core increasing. The dragon’s eyes glowed a brighter blue, though the shade remained the same…the same as…
Those vibrations. Lethargic, with immense power behind them. Like a mighty river held back by a dam. Exactly matched to Rumiya’s. The blue of his eyes, which filled her dreams, were the same. The scales of Rumiya’s armor hummed at the identical frequency as Avarax’s. Rumiya had disappeared when Avarax awoke.
Rumiya was Avarax.
Avarax was Rumiya.
It all made sense now. Two years before, he’d tested her voice. Tried to get her to sing. And when that didn’t work, he conveniently recovered the Dragon Scale Lute and restrung it for her to play in the acoustically perfect Temple of Heaven. When he realized it wouldn’t work, he probably shattered the instrument himself and made sure it remained buried beneath Wailian Castle’s ruins.
And now she was making Avarax more powerful with the song, just as she’d feared days before. He’d tricked her once, two years ago. Not this time.
She just had to undo what she started, using the variation she’d devised over the last three days. She transitioned into her new hymn. As long as he didn’t notice…
Avarax’s dragonstone buzzed a little faster, like a swarm of angry bees. No! It wasn’t working! Maybe she’d misinterpreted the music. Or perhaps he expected her to make the modifications, shaped her actions. Just like with the fake lotus jewel years before.
What can we trust more than that which comes from within ourselves? The Oracle had said as much. She had to trust herself. If her music could make Avarax stronger, it could also make him weaker. She renewed the effort, pouring her heart into the next notes.
The steady rise in Avarax’s energy wavered. Maybe…
Then it redoubled, even stronger than before. Inexorably building toward a crescendo. His triumphant roar echoed across the plain, shaking the city below. Her voice cracked. If she couldn’t reverse what she’d started, they would all die here.
Harder. She had to try harder.
Trying is the first step to failure, Master Sabal had taught on the Shallowsea. Your conscious mind cannot be moved… Do not just feel. Be moved. She abandoned the song she’d meticulously planned over three days and now let Avarax’s pulsations guide her voice, just as when the music had propelled her during her perfect dance for Prince Dhananad.
The Lotus Crystal glowed bright blue in her hands, and all the courage of the Paladins joined with the energy of the world and surged into her. Power welled up in her chest.
She sang new notes, and his immense body answered with a symphony of its own. Dozens, if not hundreds, of different sounds worked in concert inside of him, like the cogs of a dwarf clock. The torrent of vibrations hid a quiet sound: Yanyan’s lullaby, soft and soothing like falling cherry blossoms dabbing into placid water. Its residual echo barely held Avarax’s energy in check.
Strengthen those, and he would sleep. Kaiya slowed her tone, softer and softer to match the ancient verse.
Another rhythm flared somewhere inside of him, blocking the impact of her voice. No, worse! It weakened Yanyan’s lullaby, diffusing it around them. A grin, if a dragon could grin, formed on Avarax’s face.
Many of her honor guard cowered, some even throwing themselves into the dirt and covering their heads. The Lotus Crystal’s glow guttered. The power inside her dwindled. The barrier of sounds constraining Avarax’s energy began to collapse. It was hopeless.
Jie’s hand pressed against Kaiya’s back, evoking an image of the half-elf in her mind. Resolute. Courageous. Dedicated. Abandoning Yanyan’s song, Kaiya sank her voice into a deep bass.
Around her, the faltering imperial guards and Paladins straightened in a wave radiating out from her. Young Sameer was first to recover.
“Form up, form up!” he said, even if he must be among the most junior compared to the masters.
The Lotus Crystal flared back to life, sending power coursing from her hands into her core. Yet despite the surge, how could her tiny voice possibly affect all of those interacting songs within him?
Focus not on the Dragon, but on his dragonstone. As Rumiya, he’d revealed the key to his own defeat. Kaiya sang directly to his dragonstone, his very source of vitality, using a different frequency to reinforce the remnants of Yanyan’s lullaby.
Again, the same vibration flared inside of him, dispersing the effect of her voice. Yet this time, another verse revealed itself, whispering from deep within. Just like the stanza which kept her from renewing Yanyan’s song, this was some sort of defense…but against what?
Listen. Sing. Be moved.
His defensive verse mingled with Ayana’s hum, disrupting it. Had an elf voice vanquished him sometime in the past? Inverted, the sound would have an erratic beat and rapid changes, like nothing she’d heard before. She modulated her voice to create it…
The dragonstone responded with a sudden jolt.
She had him.
Subtle note by subtle note, she unwound Avarax’s vibrations and bound them up with her own. Slower and slower, weaker and weaker, until he would be no more powerful than a manipulative, deceitful man who preyed on naïve princesses.
The dragon snorted. His brightly glowing eyes faded to a dull blue, lids sagging around them. He bobbed in the air as his wings echoed his dragonstone’s slowing beat.
He opened his maw, teeth bared to roar, yet only music came out.
Her music.
His eyes widened, but the remaining blue within shimmered and then faded. With two rapid wingbeats, he pushed himself back half a li. His wings cocked one more time…and withered. The hulking muscle of his forelegs and hindquarters shriveled, the limbs compressed.
As Avarax plummeted, his entire form shrunk and shifted. Red scales smoothed out and melded into soft flesh. His snout rounded and his horns shortened. Looking human, he splashed into the river—naked, foundering, writhing. The current carried him away.
Around her the Paladins rushed down the slopes toward the splash.
“Capture him!” a Paladin master yelled.
Kaiya gasped and brought both hands to her neck. What had she just done? How was it even possible?
Jie squinted, her sharp elven vision straining to get a better look at the man who was Avarax before the river swept him away. It happened so fast, it was hard to make out his features. She turned to Ayana. Maybe the elf had gotten a better view, even with her decrepit old eyes.
Beside her, the princess’ legs wobbled. Before Jie could react, her charge collapsed.
Sameer, chivalrous as always, jumped and caught her before she crumpled to the ground.
Predictably, the imperial guards stepped forward to intervene.
As soon as the princess found her feet, the Paladin retreated three steps, head bowed and hands pressed together.
She afforded him a grateful smile. “Sir Paladin, thank you for your assistance.”
Sameer bowed. “Your Highness, it was my honor. But I am not yet a full-fledged Paladin, just an apprentice.”
The princess smiled. “Yet I could feel the power of your Qi supporting me as I sang. Surely you are one of power. Jie, give the apprentice the gemstone.”
The Lotus Crystal! They had re-liberated it from Avarax and would now apparently be returning it to its rightful owners. Jie bobbed her head and presented it with two hands.
Sameer looked toward a Paladin master, who nodded. He received the stone in both hands, his eyes wide.
The Paladin master bowed toward the princess, hands pressed together. “Your Highness, young Sameer was wrong. He is a Paladin now. ”
If Sameer’s mouth could hang any wider, he would be able to stuff the Lotus Crystal in it.
“We have another visitor at the Crystal Citadel,” the master said, “an Aksumi Mystic who is well-versed in the lore of the pyramids.”
Jie gaped wider than Sameer. It couldn’t be! Not thousands of li from where they’d parted.
The master continued, “Once she confirms the authenticity of the Lotus Crystal, you will complete your mission by delivering it to the Oracle of Ayudra, and return it to its rightful place at the pyramid.”
The princess’ breath caught in her throat. “The Pyramid. The Oracle. Sir Sameer, when will you take it back?”
Jie sighed. Perhaps the princess would now get a better view of her future. Hopefully, it would be one she wanted.
CHAPTER 48:
Return to Ayudra
Cheering crowds greeted Kaiya in every village and town the Paladin procession passed through on their way back to Vyara City. Returning refugees showered her with gifts, all of which she politely accepted, but then made sure were donated to those in need.
None of the fanfare compared to her reception in Vyara City, where they toasted her as the Dragon Charmer. She received more marriage proposals in a day than she had in four years back home, all of which she politely deflected.
Her unlikely quest accomplished, she didn’t linger long in Vyara. With a continued heavy Paladin guard, she spent two days meeting with prominent Hua families in the region, and looked for gifts to bring back to her family as was the Hua custom.
Most importantly, a week after her encounter with Avarax, she made it across the bay to Vadaras, to complete the task which Madura’s ambush had cut short. Unfortunately, in her meeting with the deposed Sultan of Selastya, she learned that the senior-most Akolyte of their god Athran had recently died. None of the other Akolytes had regained the ability to channel divine power into healing.
Maybe that was the Tianzi’s last chance. In this, her journey was a failure.
With a heavy heart, Kaiya, along with Jie and the imperial guards, headed back across the Shallowsea to Ayudra Island. Going with the gentle currents, the voyage took half a day less than the inbound journey. Their barge arrived mid-afternoon on the second day. The familiar synchronicity of sounds echoed in her ears. The Invincible remained in port, towering high above all of the barges.
The same official who had made a fuss about her lack of identification papers the first time now received her entire entourage with a broad smile. “Welcome back, welcome back!” He gestured into the city. “The Paladins have opened Ayudra to you. This is an unprecedented honor. Though there is not much to see beyond the central boulevard.”
Young Gayan skipped down the street toward them, reminiscent of the time she’d disembarked from the Invincible. He greeted her with a toothy grin. “Please come! The Oracle instructed the guest house to expect you.”
He seemed even more carefree than the last time. After the experiences of the last two weeks, those days were forever gone for her.
Kaiya smiled back. Though the answer would be the same as always, she asked, “How did he know I would arrive today?”
The boy cocked his head. “He is the Oracle, after all.”
“Then he would also know I would like to see him at once.” She flashed him a playful pout.
Gayan giggled. “The Oracle said you would say that, word for word. He suggested you come first thing in the morning, when you are rested and your thoughts are clear. He said, less haste, less emotion would mean something to you.”
Thoughts of the Praise Moon nun admonishing her young cousin Ziqiu came to mind. Apparently, the Oracle knew not only of the future, but the past as well. She bowed her head in acquiescence to the boy. “Very well. Please guide us.”
The imperial guards and Jie followed Gayan down the street. Once they passed the wall separating the waterfront from the Paladins’ district, they stopped at the surprisingly quiet smithy. A different pair of teenagers sat outside, sharpening their nagas while the young dwarf Ashler peered over their shoulders.
He glanced up as they approached, a broad smile forming across his bearded face. The dwarf turned and entered the smithy, beckoning her to follow.
Inside, the heat sang its own song, billowing out in waves from the anvil, where a thin ring glowed blue-hot. The old dwarf paused from stoking the bellows and lifted his goggles. “Welcome back, lass. Ye come t’sing for yer Focus?”
Kaiya looked to Gayan, who bobbed his head enthusiastically. She tentatively repeated his nod.
“Very good then, lass. Listen t’its purr, and sing back t’it.” Ashler gestured toward the band, glowing ever brighter with the rising temperatures.
The ring’s hum echoed the rhythm of the island, vibrant and alive. So unlike the sluggish pulsing of Avarax’s dragonstone. She sang back to it, letting her heart fall into beat with the rest of Ayudra.
The metal glowed brighter, as did several of the rough nagas hanging on the walls. Both dwarves stared with wide eyes and wider mouths.
“By Dirkan’s Beard,” muttered the old dwarf. “The God ’imself must’ve forged yer pipes. N’er before ’ave I ’eard the like.”
Ashler beamed. “Aye. Let ’er cool down. I’ll etch a symbol in’er, make ’er yers, though I’m sure she knows already. What be yer fancy, lass?”
Several images flashed before her mind. Dragons. Phoenixes. Musical notations. None of those seemed fitting anymore. Kaiya took up a piece of charcoal and drew the ideograph for Heaven, tian. Surely it was the Will of Heaven that had brought her there. Tian for Tianzi, and ironically the same word as her childhood friend’s name. If only she could write it as beautifully as her sister-in-law Xiulan.
“I’ll bring it to yer lodgin’ t’morrow, when I’m done,” Ashler said.
Kaiya placed a fist on her chest and bowed her head. “Thank you, Master Blackhammer. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough, not because of the ring, but because of her appointment with the Oracle.
They returned to the guest house. Despite her command to rest, the imperial guards took turns standing watch outside her room instead of enjoying a full night’s sleep in a comfortable bed. Jie, apparently, had no such compunctions.
Nonetheless, the half-elf was awake and by her side when Kaiya again woke to the harmonious interplay of morning sounds. Energy surged in her heart from what must’ve been the most restful sleep in a long time.
“Dian-xia, the Golden Phoenix arrived in port late last night. Young Lord Zheng Ming,” Jie said the name as if she’d just sucked on a lemon, “was aboard and asks to see you.”
Zheng Ming. Part of her, the one which longed to disengage from court life, yearned to see him, regardless of his shortcomings. No matter how much he disappointed her, his wit always made her heart race; his smile made her stomach flutter. It was real. She could grow to love him as Sister-in-law Yanli, ever practical, suggested.
Nonetheless, a visit with the Oracle came first. “I am not ready to receive him.”
Jie grinned. “The Paladins wouldn’t let him past the wall.”
“You don’t like Zheng Ming, do you?”
The half-elf’s lips snapped shut.
“Speak freely. Not that I have ne
eded to give you permission in the past.”
Jie shrugged. “My expertise is protecting you, and you do not tend to heed my opinions anyway. I see no need to comment on matters of the heart.”
Kaiya held up the half-elf’s lacquered hairpin. “As my sworn sister, I ask you to sp—”
“You will never be first for him,” she blurted, like pent-up waters breaking through a dam. “Young Lord Zheng is in love with himself.” Jie’s sigh sounded like she’d just set down a load of bricks.
Kaiya suppressed her own sigh. When had she ever been first with anyone? The monster posing as Hardeep had only wanted her voice. All of the young lords in line to marry her wanted prestige. As for Prince Dhananad…she shuddered. Perhaps the only time when she had been first for anyone was with Ming’s brother Tian, and they had just been naïve little children. Nonetheless, Father’s deadline for her to choose a suitor fast approached.
“What about you, my sworn sister? Where is your heart?” Kaiya met Jie’s gaze, knowing the half-elf would never confirm her suspicions.
True to form, Jie’s face went blank for a second. Her eyes then sparkled with a mischievous glint. “I am in love with serving you, Dian-xia.”
Kaiya covered a chuckle. Some questions might be better left unanswered. “Come, we must hurry to morning meditation.”
They left the guest house, all five imperial guards in tow. Kaiya collected a handful of yellow flowers and set them by the statue of Acharya as they passed.
Gayan greeted them when they arrived at the semi-circle of megaliths at the Temple of the Moon. “Your entourage may join the meditation, but the Oracle bids you come to the Font by yourself.”
Her guards grumbled, predictably, but obeyed her command to wait. They all remained outside the megaliths, save Jie, who worked her way through the crowds of seated Paladins.
Following Gayan up the steps, Kaiya arrived at the landing near the Font.
The Oracle looked into her soul as he welcomed her with palms pressed together. “You have grown in these short weeks.”