by JC Kang
Kaiya bowed. “If so, it was only with the help of the Paladins.”
He beckoned her toward the bridge to the Font. “Come see…no, hear the fruits of your labor.”
She crossed over to the mesa. Unlike the first time, when faint blue light sprayed out of the font, the ray now seemed to suspend the Lotus Crystal several feet above the hole. Its facets refracted and dispersed the light, bathing the entire area in a dim blue. A single beam emerged from the tapered tip of the gemstone, shooting straight up to the Iridescent Moon.
He nodded. “Your Paladin friend Sameer returned the stone last night. I can feel the energy of the world more strongly than ever. Can you?”
Kaiya closed her eyes and listened. The symphony of sounds rang louder than the first time she visited. The waves seemed almost palpable.
The Oracle beamed a smile at her. “I look forward to feeling the difference in today’s morning meditation. As for you, it is my understanding that your people practice a form of moving meditation, similar to our culture’s yoga.”
Kaiya had taken lessons in Taiji Fist, the Supreme Ultimate, from Doctor Wu, though it certainly wasn’t her forte. Nonetheless, when the Oracle folded his legs into a lotus position, she assumed a high stance, rooting her feet to the ground. She closed her eyes and cleared her mind, letting the song of the island lull her into emptiness.
Do not move, be moved. Master Sabal’s admonishment formed the first verse of the song in her head. The series of waves lifted her out of her stance and sent her feet teetering across the top of the mesa. Her hands moved of their own accord, much like when she danced for Prince Dhananad. Gravity seemed to release its hold on her as she accomplished feats of balance that should not have been possible.
When the Oracle clapped once, she found herself twirled into a cross-legged squat, back arched and arms bent like weeping willow branches. The Iridescent Moon had moved a phase, though unlike the first time, she didn’t recall any images or visions.
She turned to the Oracle. “I…I don’t understand. Everything sounded perfect. My movements felt perfect. But I didn’t see anything this time.”
The Oracle peered at her, his face wrinkled as his eyes, nose, and mouth all scrunched up. “Your movements articulated your future. You may not want to know how I interpret it.”
Why had she come, if not to learn her future? She returned his stare. “Please, tell me.”
He sighed. “You will be tested. You will suffer. You will lose a part of yourself. Yet in the end, you will gain more than you ever lost.”
Kaiya found her lips pursed. The Oracle spoke in such broad generalizations; his words were more a riddle than the answers she sought. “Is there anything specific?”
“As I explained the first time, everything is symbolic. But what I can tell you from watching your dance is this: you will find love, hot and fierce enough to melt snow and ice. You will lose love, nay, have it burned away as if by the sun itself. Your homeland, weakened from within, will be invaded and occupied. You will be faced with a choice that can free your country, and the impact of that decision will ripple throughout Tivara.”
Hua, invaded and occupied. Like Ankira. Maybe she’d end up as bitter as Ankira’s exiled queen. Her own choices would figure into the outcome. The inexplicable despair Kaiya remembered from her first visit to the Oracle flooded back over her now. “How will it happen? What choices must I make to avoid this future?”
The Oracle gazed at her as if she were asking how to switch day and night. “Your expression of the world’s vibrations are only symbols. It becomes clearer and more exact the sooner into the future, and the cloudier the further you go. Remember, the future is not carved in stone, but rather billowing in the mist. The collective choices we make blow it into new shapes. What you manifested were merely possibilities. Sometimes, the decisions we make to avoid a certain future bring it about.”
Kaiya frowned. If this was the type of guidance the Oracle gave the young Paladins, how could they possibly base their life’s work on it? “Then what should I do?”
“Remember, a vision comes from within yourself. It is for me to give you guidance and for you to reflect on. Continue meditating on it, using the ring the Blackhammer Clan forged for you. It is a part of Ayudra, for you to take with you.”
Kaiya wasn’t sure of her own sincerity as she bowed low before him. “Thank you for your guidance. Farewell.”
As she crossed back over the bridge, the sound waves of the Temple amplified his whisper. “The Bovyans as a race are very susceptible to the vibrations of the world, yet they cannot harness them. Therein lies the weakness of the Teleri Empire.”
Since he’d whispered, perhaps he hadn’t meant for her to hear him at all. As such, she didn’t acknowledge his words, but continued down through the plaza.
Jie waited expectantly. Whatever vision she’d seen apparently made her beam ear to ear.
Kaiya nodded a greeting. “Where is Young Lord Zheng?”
“I understand that he has been waiting at the gate to the Paladin district all night and into the morning.” The half-elf’s lip twitched.
Kaiya sighed. How Jie could dislike the brother of the man she liked so much? “Let us see what Zheng Ming has to say for himself.”
They continued back toward the harbor, their walk to the barricades taking just a few minutes. Zheng Ming sat quietly on the wall, mutually ignoring the Paladin sentries. His gaze met hers, sending her stomach into a routine of twists and tumbles that rivaled her latest dance. The girl she’d left behind in Hua decided to replace the Dragon Charmer.
He jumped down from the wall and sank to both knees, pressing his forehead to the ground. “Dian-xia, please forgive me.”
An apology. He probably didn’t even know how he’d wronged her. “Young Lord Zheng, rise.” Her voice came out as a timid squeak.
He lifted his head, his crooked grin making her heart race.
It was only when Jie poked her in the back that Kaiya realized she was playing with an errant lock of her hair. She let go of the tress and folded her arms together.
Zheng Ming climbed to his feet. “Dian-xia, allow me to explain my very late arrival.”
So he did understand at least one of his offenses. She raised an eyebrow. “In front of everyone?”
His cautious smile sent her head spinning. “It seems due penance.” Then his expression turned grave. “However, there is more pressing news I must tell you. The Tianzi fell deathly ill nine days after your secret departure from Hua. The Crown Prince, too, was bedridden. Both poisoned by Lord Peng. Prince Kai-Wu sits on the Dragon Throne for now.”
Nine days after… The pleasant dizziness disappeared. In its place, shock and confusion. Blood rushed from her head. Father, Eldest Brother almost dead. Poisoned by Cousin Peng, whom she’d trusted for so long. Perhaps he had his eye on the throne all these years. She reached out with a hand, as if it would keep her from fainting.
Jie’s firm hand pressed on the middle of her back, supporting her. Zheng Ming took a step forward to catch her arm. If she weren’t so concerned for Father’s health, she’d be embarrassed at Ming seeing her so vulnerable. She couldn’t worry about that now. She could be the Perfect Princess later, when she returned to Hua. Right now, she afforded herself a brief moment to be daughter.
“What…what happened?” The tightness of her throat clawed at her voice.
Ming held her in a sympathetic gaze. “The Tianzi’s heart weakened and his entire body swelled up.”
Wise and gentle Father, so strong when she was a child, now laid low by a traitor’s ambition. Why hadn’t she heard of this until now? Her mind tried to count the days between Father’s illness and now, yet failed to grasp any number. Even the current date escaped her. “The Golden Phoenix is the fastest ship in our fleet. It could have been here within six days. Why are you just arriving now with this news?”
He bowed. “Lord Peng’s men captured the Golden Phoenix. We thought they planned to whisk him home
to Nanling. The crew refused to sail and were slain, to the man. It took us several days to recapture it, repair their sabotage, and redeploy new sailors.”
Peng again. He’d deceived her time and time again, poisoned her family, murdered so many. Maybe even had Tian banished when they were children. The man knew no limits to his evil. Her only consolation… “I trust Lord Peng was brought to justice?”
Zheng Ming sighed. “He escaped over the Rotuvi border.”
Her hands trembled as she tried to contain her anger and keep the desperation out of her voice. “We must return to Hua at once. When will the Golden Phoenix be ready to depart?”
Zheng Ming shook his head. “We took a beating in a freak storm off Haikou, which caused further delays. The captain says repairs will take a week or more.”
Kaiya looked to her handmaiden. “The Invincible was in port. Do you know where Prince Aelward is staying?”
The half-elf nodded. “Follow me.”
CHAPTER 49:
Journey’s Bounty
Acacophony of surprised gasps buzzed in Kaiya’s ears, while the colorful court robes of hereditary lords swirled before her eyes. Head spinning from the disorientation Ayana’s magic caused, she might have fainted right there in front of the kneeling ministers and nobles. She lifted a hand to cover her mouth and stemmed the rising nausea, her other hand reaching out for support.
Two images of her brother Kai-Wu, sitting around the central spot of the dais, undulated back and forth. Several imperial guards behind him drew their dao and advanced.
“Kaiya?” His voice combining incredulity and relief, both Kai-Wus lifted their hands and stayed the guards.
“Dian-xia.” A baffling chorus of voices spoke in unison. A mob of oscillating colors surrounded her.
With a few blinks, the ringing in her ears subsided and the images around her came into focus. Instead of a mob, four ranks of seated men held low bows in a semicircle around her. They raised their heads in a wave rippling out from the inside ring. Over half the lords of Peng’s Nanling Province were absent.
As she suspected, there was only one Kai-Wu, and he wore a broad smile which didn’t match the Tianzi’s dignified yellow robes. “Kaiya, you appeared…quite suddenly.”
She nodded toward Lord Zheng Han, Ming’s father. “Young Lord Zheng told me of the situation, and I came as soon as possible.”
Which was quite fast. She bowed toward Ayana. The old elf, after a ten-minute song which sounded like angels singing, had transported the two of them through the ethers back to Hua. It worked out much better than the weeklong sea journey she’d asked of Prince Aelward.
Kai-Wu sighed. “The Tianzi and Crown Prince are both on their death beds. Doctor Wu is with them, delaying the inevitable.”
The lords’ expressions betrayed loyalties and ambitions. All had kowtowed before Father, sworn oaths when he was in his prime. Kai-Wu, while liked by all, did little to inspire confidence. Would they swear fealty to him?
Expansionist Lord Lin of Linshan pursed his lips. The people of his rugged forest province were well known for an independent streak. Lord Liang of Yutou, friends with the snake Peng, smirked, perhaps counting the hours. Hua was about to throw itself into civil war.
Kaiya bowed, showing deference to Second Brother as she would the Tianzi. “With your leave, I would like to visit Father.”
“Of course, of course. They are in the solarium.” Kai-Wu made to stand, stopping when she gave a slight shake of her head. His place was here, in front of the hereditary lords.
She turned around, heads again bowing low. Pages slid the doors open and she glided through and strode toward the residential wing of the castle. Two imperial guards fell in behind her, along with Ayana.
They passed through Jade Gate and onto the covered bridge separating the castle from the residence. Halfway over the bridge, Ayana’s pace slowed. “What magic is this? I have never seen wards so powerful.”
Kaiya smiled, but preferred to keep the secrets of the castle to herself. She walked through the gate and continued into the residence.
Just outside the archway to the solarium, the usual guardians of the sleeping quarters’ wing greeted her. Eight imperial guard sentries stepped to the side, allowing the old nun to approach with light bauble lamp raised.
Her wrinkled features creased further in surprise. “Dian-xia.” She then switched to the secret imperial language. “How old was the Founder when he arrived in Hua from Heaven’s Gate?”
“Forty-nine. He came from Great Peace Island, not Heaven’s Gate.”
The nun nodded. “Where was the portal on Great Peace Island?”
“Original Mastery Temple.”
“What was his castle’s name on Great Peace Island?”
“Pacified Lands Castle.”
The gatekeeper switched back to the Hua tongue. “Welcome home, Dian-xia. I apologize for my impertinence, but your friend may not accompany you into the solarium.” Her narrowed eyes showed no sign of apology.
The imperial guards stepped forward, barring Ayana.
Kaiya frowned. “Lady Ayana has helped me on numerous occasions. I—”
“It is all right, Kaiya,” Ayana said. “I must be returning to Prince Aelward…just have someone get me outside of this magic bubble, and I will be on my way.”
“Then thank you for all of your help and guidance.” Kaiya bowed at the waist to express her gratitude. She straightened only when Ayana made her way back through the residence with an imperial guard escort.
Kaiya studied the archway. How would Father, already ravaged by age and the burdens of rule, look now? And Eldest Brother Kai-Guo, just twenty-five…could she cope with seeing him near death? She took a deep breath and strode in.
Sunlight streamed in from the half-dome of glass, bathing the room in brightness. Despite shining on the dark-tiled floor, the sun couldn’t warm the cold presence of impending death.
Xiulan, leaning at Kai-Guo’s bedside, and Yanli, standing behind her, both gawked at her.
“Kaiya,” Xiulan said, while Yanli beckoned her.
Beyond them, Eldest Brother laid motionless, his chest struggling with labored breaths. His ashen pallor stood in contrast to his usually healthy complexion. Kaiya’s heavy heart weighed her steps, and she couldn’t will her feet to move.
Sitting in a chair beside Father’s bed, Doctor Wu held one of the Tianzi’s limp wrists in her weathered hands, taking his pulse. She turned her head, her blue eyes delving deep into Kaiya’s. “You have returned. Your journey bore fruit.”
Indeed, if only Doctor Wu knew the whole story. She would undoubtedly appreciate hearing how her lessons helped vanquish the dragon. But now wasn’t the time to tell the tale.
Doctor Wu smiled, the creases on the side of her eyes radiating out. “Come, child, bid your father and brother farewell.”
Bid them farewell...it was that bad. Kaiya choked back a tear and stumbled forward. She fell to her knees by Father’s frail form. Once, he’d been young and robust. Carried her on his back and threw her up in the air and caught her. But now…when she took his free hand in her own, the cold almost caused her to drop it.
“Sing to them. Let your voice escort them into the next life.” Doctor Wu placed a surprisingly soft hand on her shoulder.
Warmth radiated into her from the doctor’s hand, giving her courage. Kaiya started humming a lullaby, one Father had once sung to her. Slow and comforting, the words all but forgotten.
The Tianzi’s eyebrows fluttered, their arrhythmic pulses threatening the harmony of her hum. His frail and stuttering heartbeat protested, jerking feebly at her melody. Behind her, Eldest Brother’s faint and wobbling breaths magnified the amplitude of Father’s imbalances.
“The combination of toxins,” Doctor Wu said. “It breaks the natural resonance of their bodies, weakens them.”
Perhaps it was no different than the vibrations of Avarax’s dragonstone. Maybe she could influence their health and the toxins as well. Guan
yin’s Eye had already receded, however, and there was no army of Paladins, no priestesses, no elf wizard, no Lotus Crystal to lend her strength.
No. The power of two dying men did not begin to compare to a mighty dragon.
Kaiya rose from her kneel and gripped the solarium floor with her toes. With a deep breath, she cleared out all the other sounds besides her own hum, and the reply of her father’s and brother’s life forces. In the distance, the pulses of the Temple of Heaven reached even here. Doctor Wu, too, still projected immense power through the palm on Kaiya’s shoulder. At her sides, Xiulan and Yanli breathed in harmony with each other. Her Ayudra ring. Kaiya might be able to borrow all of these, using her body as a conduit.
Continuing the lullaby, she raised her voice, accepting the irregular vibrations from Eldest Brother and Father’s life forces, and harmonically nudging them closer to their correct course with musical notes.
Father’s resonance was weak. Too weak. The toxins in both pushed back. It wasn’t working. Despair threatened to overtake her, and she stuttered on her words.
No, she couldn’t give up. A poison was nothing compared to a dragon dragonstone.
She let the toxin move her, pulling its vibrations to her instead of pushing them within Father and Eldest Brother’s bodies. Their healthy energies filled in the space between the venom’s wave pattern.
Behind her, Eldest Brother stirred. When she turned, his eyes were open and color was returning to his face. He propped himself up on his elbows and spoke, voice rasping. “Kaiya. You are home.”
Continuing her hum, Kaiya nodded at him and shifted her attention to Father. The frequency of his vibrations remained feeble and irregular, though improved from when she’d started the song. Her energy, on the other hand, began to flag. Listless and heavy, her arms and legs protested the effort, and her concentration waned. She wouldn’t be able to keep it up much longer.
“Dian-xia,” Doctor Wu said. “Enough. This is far beyond the scope of musical power. Any more and it could cripple the power of your voice. It might even kill you.”